Early in our careers we are told two lies. Sometimes we hear them actually come out of someone's mouth, other times we pick them up from our environment. Either way, most of us have encountered them.
The first lie is that your job is to show up. Walk in the door, punch the clock, sit at your desk, report for duty. Being present is most important.
This lie was central to the culture of my first desk job. My cubicle was in the bullpen with a dozen other employees. Looking around the room, it was easy to tell that being in the building was the most important priority. Actually adding value to the company was a distant second (or third, or eleventh, even).
The second lie is that your job is to take action. Being active is most important.
This lie was explicitly heard multiple times a day at my very first job. Sophomore year of high school found me working at a fast food joint. The shift supervisors repeated their mantra over and over again: "If you're leaning you better be cleaning." In other words, you better not be standing still. You better be active.
The activity = accomplishment lie isn't limited to the restaurant business. Most industries have some version of the same mantra. But it's still a lie.
Regardless of your industry, role, or specific responsibilities, the purpose of work is to serve people in a way that adds value to their life, job, or business.
Are you an administrative assistant? Your job is to serve your boss (by accomplishing administrative tasks) in a way that frees her up to do what only she can.
Are you a business owner? Your job is to serve your employees (by casting vision, setting strategy, and empowering action) in a way that allows them to do their best work, and to serve your customers in a way that adds value to their lives, jobs, or businesses.
Are you a social worker? Your job is to serve your clients (by counseling them, connecting them with available services, and empowering them to take action) in a way that adds value to their lives.
Are you an educator? Your job is to serve your students (by teaching them and instilling in them a love for learning) in a way that adds value to their lives.
How about you? What's your job, really? And how will you accomplish it this week?