Directions to Completion

There are many factors that make ordinary people like us sensible and disciplined. This is very important if we are to live in society. Unless there is discipline and a sense of purpose, the result in various aspects of life and well being will be chaotic and disastrous. Let us, for a minute, imagine that discipline in the armed forces is voluntary and soldiers can do as they like. The result will be chaos and the country’s security will be in danger. Even if orders are partly followed (and not in full) the result can be similar. This is because the desired result cannot be achieved. Hence it is not only important for a soldier to follow orders, but also take these orders seriously and take them to their desired conclusion.

Discipline is required, not only in the armed forces, but in all walks of life. Imagine what will follow if all motorists decide to ignore traffic signals on the road and take law into their own hands. It will be chaos and confusion and accidents will happen.

Whatever the form of the establishment, it is important for the workers, officers, soldiers and employees to recognise that as long as they work in an organized structure, it is very necessary that once a job is undertaken, it has to be completed according to the directions given. The person giving the instructions gives them to an employee or servant assuming that he or she is capable of doing it. The boss may delegate such work and do something else that may also have to be done. Hence it becomes the duty of the worker or assistant to either complete the work or tell his superior that he cannot do it and give reasons thereof. If this not done, it will amount to breach of trust and, of course, insubordination. We should also keep in mind that by not completing a task as directed would destroy the trust and confidence his superior has in him. Once this thread is broken, it can only be repaired and that too with a lot of difficulty. 

We should also consider the satisfaction completion of an assignment or task gives to a person. He feels a sense of achievement. He feels happy that he was able to complete his work. A personal task completed in time and done well does immense good to one’s confidence and pride. On the other hand an unfinished task makes us think constantly about it even in our free time. In certain situations, the possibility of being criticised, being fired by the boss makes it more painful. So the secret is to do your job and do it completely. Life will be much better.