I've had this post floating around in my head for quite some time now and even had a draft started with the title, just haven't sat down to put my thoughts on paper, or rather computer. I'm going to tonight.
I learned all about work ethic and developed the work ethic I have from my parents. I was taught at a very young age that nothing in life is free and don't go looking for any hand outs, because you aren't going to get them. From the time I was 13/14 years old and was starting to earn money, I had a savings plan and was already putting back for my future. My future then being the desire to purchase a car when I was old enough.
For years I've watched my Dad work at 110% no matter what the job was and no matter how little he may have liked it. If any of you know my Dad, you know he is one hard working man and will do anything with a smile and has one of the best attitudes towards life that you will ever see in a man. And my Mom has drilled into me from the time I was little on, "Anything worth doing is worth doing well." And she leads by example, anything my Mom does is never shoddy, or half way, it's the very best that she has to offer. So, I was fortunate enough to be brought up by parents with good work ethic.
When I joined the workforce part time at 14 and then full time at 16, I learned that not everyone has the same work ethic. My first job was in the retail business and it's very fast paced and you need to have a sense of urgency when you are in a customer service related job. I learned my job and took a lot of pride in what I did. I loved to make my customers smile and was always thrilled when I could help someone with a problem. I worked at 3 different grocery stores in the same chain over a 4-5 year period. I started working in the produce department, did a little in the grocery, meat and deli departments as well. I eventually was a cashier and then worked the customer service desk/video department and was involved with doing the daily balancing of monies and so forth. That was were I shined, I loved working the desk and helping whoever walked up. Whether it was cashing a payroll check, sending a Western Union transaction, paying a utility bill, etc., etc. I loved that job! I tried to be the best that I could be at it and worked as quickly as I could so no one would wait for very long for a service they needed.
It doesn't seem like many people in these type of work situations take a lot of pride in what they do or seem to even like it. Granted, I didn't make a lot of money, but I loved what I did and would go back to that type of job in a heart beat. I left the grocery store and started working as a teller at a bank and loved that even more. People are very nice to tellers because they see them so frequently and they are after all handling your money! I worked the drive-thru at the one bank I worked for and continued to develop my people skills. I don't want this to sound too braggy, but I'm going to pat myself on the back just a little bit. We had 3 drive up lanes and I worked the main window and another girls worked the tubes that come in from the farther lanes. I also helped on the tubes as well. There would be a line of 3 or 4 cars deep at my window and no one in the tubes because I had specific customers that would come to me and me only. That made me feel so awesome and proud of the work I did.
I left the bank and started working at Sam's Club, that has been by far my most favorite job ever!! It was fast paced, never boring and I learned a ton while I was working there. I continued to give 110% of myself and excelled at my job. I met a variety of people while I worked there and never understood why someone could hate a job so much and complain so much and still continue to work there. I told multiple people, "If you don't like it, and it's so horrible, just quit." I always tried to stay positive and upbeat and tried to bring other people up with me. There was no sense in making yourself miserable over your job, you might as well enjoy it if it's a necessity.
When Ross and I married, I transferred to the Walmart Distribution Center which is where I still am. I wouldn't say my work ethic has changed, but my attitude has. I struggle constantly to stay positive and not be drug down by all the complainers. It was such a culture shock to go from a very fast paced, customer service type job, to driving a forklift and moving pallets. Not a lot of interaction between me and the pallets if you catch my drift! I really like people and I like working in customer service, so it's been a challenge for me to stay happy with my job, because I know there is something else out there that I could do better. Unfortunately, that type of job in the area I live in doesn't pay nearly as well as what I'm doing now. So, I'm going to make the best of my situation until the day a Sam's Club opens in this area. You can guarantee my name will be the first on the list requesting a transfer!
This post didn't exactly come out like I had pictured in my brain, but I'm going to leave it as it is, a little bit of my work history. I would love to hear your opinion on peoples work ethics and what makes a good work ethic.
2 comments:
Um, can I hire you? Or have you be my co-worker? I have the same sort of working ethic. I take things seriously and take pride in my work, even if its being a cashier at Douglas Company. I really really DISLIKE working with people who are not like us. People who don't try their best and are poor at customer service. People who just want the money and then complain that its not enough, when really they have no reason to demand a raise!
You would have a really hard time working in high schools these days. There are so few students who exemplify the work attitude. I am personally really glad to not have to work with high school students or people who have the same working ethic you described!
Nice post, glad that we did manage to do one thing right with our children!
Also, your Christmas pics are great.
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