Do your job...or else!

I know I’m not the only one surprised at the piss-poor behavior we see from co-workers. It’s always the same people consistently late to work, or absent when things need to be done or when a customer needs help, all of the above. To our utter amazement it’s these same people who complain about their job, but do nothing in the way of looking for another job that would please them. At some point they even have the gall to ask for a raise, and then gripe to you when management denies them one. At this point we want to tell them, “Leave, or shut the @!*# up!”

You don’t have to love your job, but at least do your job. The people beside you need you to pull your own weight whether you like it or not, and if you don’t know that then you’ll never be happy in any job you find. Don’t stand around shooting the breeze when you could be completing daily tasks that need to be done. Show initiative and take pride in getting things done. Act like a professional and set the example for others to follow. The praise you receive from co-workers and managers will leave you feeling like you’re floating on clouds. You might ask how this matters. If you have to ask then you don’t deserve an answer, but since I’m writing a blog for ‘Who’s Minding the Store?’ it’s in my best interest to give one.

What people think of you matters as much as you think of yourself, and in some cases much more. We all know the saying, ‘perception is reality.’ It can mean the difference of you being happy in your current job, or help you find that dream job you’re looking for.

Whether you know it or not, doing a good job at work builds a network for you. When people beside you know they can rely on you to not only do your job, but do it right this helps create a network of people who say positive things about you to other people. When your name is mentioned in crowds good things will be said about you, and this opens doors of opportunity that further your career, or help you in a new one. Basic and simple as this sounds you will be surprised how many people don’t know this.

I’ve seen people throw away jobs (good jobs!) simply because they don’t give a *@&!. That’s right, they don’t care. These are the complainers who never come to work on time, never have anything good to say, hardly smile, and in fact are more detrimental to team spirit than they are as an asset. Be responsible for your own attitude. If you’re not happy in your job ask yourself what you want. Approach your manager and let them know what you think may help you in your work.

Maybe you need a better chair to sit in, email, a better phone, a better desk, certain types of pens and markers, internet access. Explain how this will help you perform tasks and provide examples of how the competition utilizes the tools you’re asking for to further your point. Show you’ve done your due diligence and are convinced this will improve everyone’s game. And more importantly, come to work on time. If you can’t do something as basic as that, people will ask what else you’re not doing and when companies look to downsize you’ll be first on the list.

If you’re truly unhappy in your work and simply don’t care, then disregard all I’ve said, but definitely leave. The longer you stay the more negative things people will have to say about you, which is the last thing you need. You may ask why? Again, if you have to ask you don’t deserve an answer. But….

When you’re applying for another job the potential employer may contact your previous or current job and ask questions about you. What do you suppose they’ll say if you’ve earned the reputation of a slacker? And don’t think for one minute they have to say much. A lot can be said about you when a manager has very little to say about your performance. They don’t have to come out and say you suck! All they have to say is, “Yeah, that person works here, but that’s all I’m at liberty to disclose.”

End of story and end of you!

This is why doing your job is important whether it’s your dream job or not. You want people to think highly of you and speak good things about you when your name comes up.

So next time you’re on your way to work be sure to leave early so you can arrive on time. Yes, that means clocking in when scheduled (pun intended). When something needs to be done, do it and do it right and expeditiously. Show initiative. You’ve probably been in your job long enough to know what needs to be done. If you don’t like your manager telling you what to do all of the time, then do what you know needs to be done. Not only will the manager appreciate this, but it’ll keep him/her out of your hair.

And stop griping! You chose to work where you’re at. Look at the positive things about your job. We’ve all worked in jobs that don’t necessarily pay what we need to earn, but had fun in those jobs working alongside terrific people. That counts for something, and you want them to say good things about you when you provide character references to potential employers.

So I say again….Do you job or else get the @#&! out!

http://www.amazon.com/Whos-Minding-Store-David-Lucero/dp/0985252316