To My Co-Workers

EDIT: This is a kind of “pep-talk” to my co-workers.  I have been on the swing shift for 2 years, but now am moving to the morning shift. I do NOT have plans to leave my workplace at this time. However, I do miss working with my co-workers on the swing shift, and look forward to the people who I will see in the mornings. I want to stay at my current workplace for 1,000 years or more* (*=maybe not THAT long, but I do want to stay for awhile! 😉 )

To my co-workers,

It has been a pleasure and a joy to get to know each of you over the past two years or so.  We have been through a lot together.  To *Ted and *Tim (NOT their real names), I will miss working with you in the evenings.  You have been instrumental in making my experience here worth it.  To those of you who I will be working with in the mornings, I look forward to the many adventures that we will have together as we strive to serve our customers and do the best we can.

I care about each one of you, and I would like to help everyone be the best they can be, both at work and in life. Although we (me included) will fall from time to time, we persevere. Here is what I learned, from various sources that have helped me find joy and meaning in the daily grind:

I have seen a board where some of the managers were asked their slogan or their mantra which they strive to live by. If I were asked my mantra that I strive to live by it would be: Whatever you do, do it will all of your heart.  My faith hero, Rachel Joy Scott, also lived by a version of this slogan by caring for others and by working hard to achieve her goals. She also had been known to say, “I won’t be labeled as average.”

I, too, do not want to be labeled as average.  When I work on returns or straighten my area, I don’t want to do a half-hearted or “average” job. I want to do the best I possibly can. Our best can vary from person to person, but you will have a sense of satisfaction in your heart if you know you did your best. When I serve customers, I don’t want to just to serve them the way the “average” worker does, but I want to go above and beyond, not only so the customer will be satisfied, but also as an example for all of us to follow.

Also, if you have already done what you could, with all your heart, and people still aren’t satisfied with that, you shouldn’t worry.  Many years ago, I had a job where I tried to do the best I can, but it still wasn’t enough.  In fact, I got demoted because I wasn’t fast enough, and it was only my first day there.  However, they still had some regard because one of my supervisors at the time acknowledged that I worked hard.  Yes, it is discouraging when you do something with your whole heart and it still isn’t enough. However, most people will still respect a good work ethic, regardless.

Another precept that I strive to live by is to make caring about others a priority. Often, at any workplace, profits and our own interests are put ahead of others. However, being an applecart upsetter, I strive to make caring about others more of a priority in my life.  For example, when we see a fellow co-worker or a manager that seems visibly stressed or upset, rather than disregarding or agitating him or her even more, we should try to speak encouraging words into their upsetting situation and into their souls.  For instance, if a co-worker feels that they are not appreciated by certain people, we could encourage them by providing specific examples of how we value and care about them and the work they do.  If someone is short of money to get food for their lunch, we could be a blessing to them and provide them with the funds they need to be able to eat.  We should make caring about others a priority because doing so can not only increase morale and motivation to work well , especially after a stressful day, but can even, in some cases, save someone’s life!

Finally, leave your mark on this place. If you have to leave this place, do not leave without making a positive impact on those around you. Don’t be afraid to stand out in some positive way, even if it may be met with a lot of resistance or pressure.   Always be true to yourself and your values. Do not pretend to be someone who you are not, because you always will be found out in the end.  Create a legacy that you will be satisfied and proud of, not only at this job, but also in life.

Sincerely,

Patricia