Industrious. (Mic Drop)

I’m a fan of words; all creative ninjas are. I believe that there is a perfect word for every situation and sometimes it’s just irritating when you know there is a perfect word out there, and you just can’t find it.

“Industrious” is a great example of why I love words.

Industrious, according to Dictionary.com means “working energetically and devotedly; hard-working; diligent”. Industrious means not just working but working energetically.

Also according to Dictionary.com the origins lie in a french word meaning “cleverness or skill”. I think that has to be taken into account when we look at the word “industrious”. It’s not just working energetically but it is also using skill and being clever. It’s overcoming challenges. It’s not being stopped.

When I think of the word “industry” I imagine large, imposing buildings that cut into the horizon – carving their own place in the world. Once the first cement was poured nothing would stop that building from standing.

I equate that image with “industrious”. It’s overcoming challenges. It’s carving a place in the world. It’s energetically, enthusiastically and skillfully finding ways to keep going in order to build something.

Which, again, begs the questions – are you being industrious? Are you determined to keep going? Are you finding new solutions to new problems? Are you working energetically?

So ask yourself: is there a better way to do what you are doing? Is there a way to improve it? Is there spark and passion in your work? And if there isn’t can you find some?

Most of the time we get mired in a rut. Perhaps it’s a rut that we enjoy but it’s still the same thing every day. Often the only way to change that is some monumental thing that shakes everything up. Well, you got it! The ultimate shakeup has happened. Don’t waste it.