QUARANTINE LIFE: ON THE JOB

Everyone makes mistakes, and encounters unforeseen circumstances. Some things aren’t mistakes, though, and can be quite predictable and avoidable. 

Maybe it was cute, funny, or quirky the first couple of times, but when ruining moments becomes an embarrassing habit in circumstances great and small, sentiments change, and passes are revoked. 

When people care, they prepare, study, and understand the assignment. Even accomplished, confident, competent people care enough to practice. 

The sad thing about resting in one’s own laurels, or not caring, however, is that it deceives you into thinking your actions are harmless, or don’t matter. In moments when the focus should be on ONE thing, it’s stuck in high-beam mode on another.

Consider, in spite of your resume, that not everyone knows who you are. Just because you might get a pass from the people who know and adore you, don’t let that stop you from, or make you averse to making an effort. Do your part. Ask yourself, “What is the least thing that I can do?” and at LEAST do that. You may find that, whatever that thing is, and the minimal time it takes, will make all the difference. 

If you cannot support or celebrate others; if everything has to be about you; if you must find a way to MAKE it about you, don’t accept the job. 

After the job is done, don’t let the only thing everyone is discussing be the mess you made of it.

Your own integrity and work ethic should eclipse the wishes, demands, or expectations of others. You know your strengths and weaknesses. If you’re recommended or invited, it’s either because of who you know, who knows of you, your reputation, or availability. It could also be because a first, or preferred choice WASN’T available. Even if your participation was a result of last minute scramble, no one will know or consider that if you fumble the ball. Do your best. Bring your A-game. What if their tools (supposedly designed to make the job easier) fail? You have to have your own.

Perhaps the occasion or paycheck is appealing, and is your only motivation to take the job. You STILL have to deliver. Pay attention to the principal thing. Don’t spend extraordinary amounts of time looking the part, that could be best spent learning the part.

What are people going to get when they call on you? Do they know? Will they regret calling? Do THEY care if the job will be done well, or are they simply counting on you to deliver? Whether it’s based on personal, past experience, or the recommendation of someone else, your performance today will determine your future participation— or tank any chances of it.

If you don’t think you can do a good job, aren’t prepared, are apathetic or apprehensive, are insulted by the parameters of the work, don’t have the time TO prepare, feel insecure, have reservations, or neither respect the organization or individual who hired you, don’t accept the job.  Don’t take it, complain, make a mockery of it, make excuses in the midst of it, and think it’s okay. EXPECT criticism and disappointment when you screw up.

If you know you’re not up to the task, let someone else do the job who will do it WELL. It’s not enough to just make an appearance or take up space.

Some things really do boil down to simply caring.