The Sweet Taste of a Job Well Done

What is better than the satisfaction of a job well done? Whether finishing an intense workout, completing a home improvement project, or even a great performance, accomplishing any goal where real effort has been expended, produces the sweet taste of a job well done.


I remember the first time I tried a Gatorade. I would see people go in convenience stores and pick from the bottles of what looked like colored water and I would wonder what it tasted like. One hot summer day I decided to follow a group of construction workers' lead and grab one. Admittedly I was kind of excited because I was about to find out what all the hype was about. I remember how disappointed I was as I waited for this intense burst of grape flavor to register on my taste buds, when all I got was a faint taste of what seemed like watered down koolaide. I remember asking someone later why they even wasted their money on such a lackluster product, to which he replied, "Well they only taste good and quench your thirst after you've done something. "

It wasn't until a few weeks later, after playing tennis and sweating profusely that I began to fully understand what he meant. A friend of mine handed me something to drink and I was so thirsty that I didn't even look to see what I was drinking. As I downed the entire bottle, I remember feeling refreshed, as my energy was being restored. Revived, I thanked him and commented on how good it was and how it had hit the spot. Then I looked down at the empty Gatorade bottle and I was reminded of the stranger's  words..."They only taste good and quench your thirst after you've done something."

Like me, many people find themselves discontented and disatisfied with the amount of success they have experienced in life. At times, the victories and accomplishments never seem good enough. Perhaps, like me, you tried to enjoy the sweet taste of success without the effort, discipline, and endurance necessary to create it.

What's My Point?
Personal satisfaction isn't transferrable and can't be borrowed. There is no substitute for hard work.The rewards of your labor, much like the revitalizing agents in Gatorade, are only activated when you do something. Don't settle for a hint of success when you could experience its fullness by applying yourself and staying committed to achieving your goals.