Working in a coal mine…

The number one reason I can’t be a boss – I have simple expectations – you’re getting paid, do your job, if you can’t or don’t want to you do the job find a new one.

I don’t understand why so many people feel it’s ok to do as little as possible to continue getting paid or maybe I do. I’m not talking about my current employer specifically, it seems like a trend almost every where I go. I know that we all have off days but the levels of apathy emanating from people is palpable. I have a theory about this, when I first started working my mother told me that no one was irreplaceable but I still needed to give whatever I was doing my full commitment. I’ve carried that philosophy for almost 25 years. My mother’s work ethic and by extension mine, came from a time when people worked their whole lives for a single company and looked forward to their retirement package and gold watch. I guess it’s hard to commit to a company when more and more frequently they seem to be run by executives looking out for their personal interests and no matter how well or how poorly the company does, they get paid.

I’m guessing the other part of the problem is a natural extension of the everyone gets a trophy mentality. This expectation that you will be rewarded just for participating, has moved off the play field, through schools and pretty much set up shop in the work place. I’m here aren’t I, so pay me. It’s not really a sustainable model. Yes there are always people that work hard but sooner or later those people will leave for one reason or another. Of course this will be detrimental to the company in the long run, but since there is no accountability some executives will continue to get paid until their is no more money to be made and they move on.

Unless it’s your company it’s very easy to find yourself dreading going to work in the morning, every morning. If that’s how you feel it may be time to make a change. You’re not just making yourself miserable, you are more than likely doing the same to your coworkers and creating an ever increasing downward spiral. There will be difficult bosses and office politics, it is the nature of every job, so have to have something that keep you going. What has worked for me is making sure that I continue to do my job to the best of my ability and let that be it’s own reward.