Summary

Charles Darwin's relentless dedication to his work, without anticipation of its future impact, exemplifies the importance of diligence and commitment in any endeavor.

Abstract

The article reflects on the life and work ethic of Charles Darwin, emphasizing that the significance of one's work may not be immediately apparent. Darwin's journey on the HMS Beagle and his subsequent development of the theory of evolution illustrate the value of persistent effort and the pursuit of one's craft without the promise of immediate reward or recognition. The narrative suggests that like Darwin, individuals should focus on the intrinsic value of their work and the process of perfecting it, rather than being motivated by the prospect of fame or success. The article encourages readers to prioritize the act of doing the work, as it is the fundamental aspect of achieving meaningful outcomes.

Opinions

The author posits that Darwin's initial obscurity and his methodical approach to his work serve as a lesson in humility and perseverance.
It is implied that the true measure of one's work is not in the immediate accolades but in the commitment to the craft and the impact over time.
The article suggests that external validation and the anticipation of future success should not be the driving forces behind one's work.
The author believes that the process of refining one's work, as Darwin did for over two decades, is crucial to producing work of lasting significance.
There is an underlying opinion that society often overlooks the importance of diligent work in favor of quick results and immediate gratification.
The author emphasizes that the intrinsic rewards of doing the work are more valuable than short-term recognition.

Doing the Work Is All That Matters

Lessons from Charles Darwin’s approach to work and life

Photo by Maximilian Weisbecker on Unsplash

Charles Darwin is one of the most recognizable names in human history. His theory of evolution is a fundamental part of our understanding of biology and life on earth.

His voyage on HMS Beagle from 1831 to 1836 shaped the world as we see it today. His thoughts and theories formed on that trip have had more influence than he ever could have imagined.

The theory of natural selection, where an organism adapts to its environment by selectively reproducing changes in its genotype, is a cornerstone of biology and widely accepted as fact.

Despite Darwin’s legacy and his standing today, there was a time when Darwin was a nobody. A scientist on a ship collecting data. He was only 22 when he was invited on board HMS Beagle to be the ship’s naturalist.

He was a man starting in the world and not the famous figure we know today. He had no idea at the time that what he was working on was so important. He just did the work.

It took Darwin until 1859 to publish his theory of evolution in On the Origin of Species. There was no one nudging him to finish the work because the world needed to know about his theory.

In the intervening years from his journey on HMS Beagle, he was refining his theory, working diligently without reward. He did this because it needed to be done, because of his commitment to his craft.

We are all like Darwin at some point. We all have works that need to be done. It may have varying levels of importance, but to whoever is undergoing the work, it is the most important thing they are doing regardless of its wider importance.

When it comes down it, we need to get the work done no matter what. Because, in the end, that is all that matters.

Just Get the Work Done

There is no way Darwin could have known just how important his work would become. As a fresh-faced 22-year-old, he was probably just happy to be onboard the Beagle.

Maybe he had ideas of grandeur in his head. Maybe he thought he would stumble across a discovery that would make him famous. Or, maybe he was just grateful for such an opportunity to fall into his lap after graduating from Cambridge.

Even his father was against the idea of Darwin joining the expedition! It was his brother-in-law, Josiah Wedgewood II, who convinced him it would be a good idea for Charles to go along.

None of these men had any inkling what may come from the expedition. They had no idea that Darwin would conceive his theory while on the journey.

While Darwin was spending time in the Galapagos Islands, formulating the ideas that would become his famous theory, do you think these thoughts were playing on his mind?

Was he thinking ahead to the future and what might become of his ideas? What might become of him once these ideas were published?

It’s possible. He was human like the rest of us. These thoughts probably entered his head a few times. But, he would not have let them distract him of his goal, which was to observe the various species on the islands.

Darwin’s work came first, that was the most important thing at that time because it was the only thing at that time. It was the reason he was on the trip, it was what gave him purpose, what gave his time in the Galapagos meaning.

Sure, he may have gotten ahead of himself once or twice, but who doesn’t? What’s important is that Darwin stayed focused on his work, so focused that he deliberated over publishing his work for two decades before he eventually did.

There was no rush to get his work out into the open. No rush to sweep up the acclaim and adulation that he may have thought would come his way. There were only thoughts of his work and his need to perfect it before he published.

The work came first. Everything was secondary.

The Takeaway

In a way, we are all like Darwin. We all have work that needs to be accomplished. It may not have the groundbreaking impact that Darwin’s did but that’s not the point.

The point is that, in that very moment, all there is work. We may think ahead to what might happen once the work is done but that is to jump the gun. Is short-term adulation worth it in the long-run?

The very nature of the word work is enough to make some people feel sick. It is a word wrought with negative connotations. Work is often hard, irritating, and full of problems.

But that is what makes work so important. It is in these moments that strength of character is formed. That we realize that gratification is often delayed. We all want praise, we all want to be appreciated for the work we do.

However, it is a distraction. We cannot know whether the work we are doing is worthwhile or not. It could all be for nothing but that does not mean we shouldn’t give it our all.

Had Darwin become disheartened with where his work was heading, he may have given up. He might have decided the hours and hours of toil were not worth it. The hard work was not worth the gratification that may or may not come.

Brilliance and success take hours upon hours of dedication. Often, it takes years to see results. During those times it can feel pointless. But the point is that we do the work.

For if we don’t do the work, we will have nothing.

It may feel like a burden at the time but the work we put in now will pay off in the end.