Monday, July 3, 2017

The Ups and Downs of the Job World

My life is never dull. I hear people say that about me all the time. While this is true, it does not always seem to be a good thing. My life, like everyone else, is filled with peaks and valleys. Fortunately, I have good people surrounding me to keep me hopeful in the low times. They also keep me grounded in the high times.
 
I remember after college it took about ten months before I found a decent job. I held jobs, but they were nothing in which I wanted to launch a career. I finally started my career in 1988. During that career, I have held jobs, that while I enjoyed them, most people would not want or could not handle. A common refrain I heard was, "it takes a special kind of person to do what you do." Actually, I always thought it would only take someone with bills to pay and a willingness to do their job.
 
Everything went great until 1995 when my department became contracted out. I was given a buyout package and worked for the contractors for four and a half years. During that time, I put in several applications to get rehired by the company. Three out of four positions were given to someone else for a job I was already doing. Politics was always involved. However, the fourth application, the hiring supervisor told me he would fight the politics to get me hired. It took a few months, but he succeeded. I was rehired by the company I started with in 1988.
 
The supervisor told me that the reason he continued to interview me and fight for me was because during all of the rejections, I maintained a great attitude and continued doing my job correctly.
 
I have had several up and down situations arise while at this company. Life would not be an adventure if everything went the way I planned. I have learned that no matter what comes your way, tomorrow always comes. You may be knocked down. You may need to pick yourself up. You may be celebrated. You may need to humble yourself.
 
Attitude and job performance keeps me going. I do my job. I do it to the best of my ability, and I am willing to go above and beyond what some are willing to do to make sure things work smoothly. Someone asked me the other day after putting in my notice at my second job, "who will replace you and do what you do?" My answer was simple. Whoever does there job the way it was meant to be done. The company survived before I arrived and will remain that way after I am gone. I am thankful for the opportunity they gave me when others would not.
 
Laziness will get you nowhere good. You need to take the bull by the horns and make it do what you want it to do. Obstacles will always arise. Jump over them. Push them out of the way. Take charge of your career and make no excuses.
 
Keep a good attitude and don't let people or circumstances define who you are. Overcome. Endure. Finish the race.

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