Saturday, January 17, 2015

Only What’s Required


Years before I retired  from my job in my mid-forties in 2009 due to Lymphoma, I was “bare minimum” type of guy. This was largely due to being counseled (and written up) for not meeting my work standards. (This is called a Performance Improvement Plan or a PIP.) At my current age, looking back now I wouldn’t deny that I probably did deserve this, but at the time I was angry, and decided to only do what was required of me. I rejected the yearly Christmas party (and other team building events). I dared anyone to force me to go to any of this stuff.

Maybe you’ve been burnt badly like I was, and are headed down a path similar to mine. My advice is to not do it. In the business community today, individuals are expected to go above and beyond the minimal requirements to get “excellent” on their appraisals. It won’t cut it to respond as I did above. Troubleshooting and joyfully assisting others has to be the order of the day.

It’s much better all-around to be a happy person. Nothing can match knowing that the good deed you did for a stranger could positively affect their life for years to come. A lifestyle like this shows others that you can be depended on. This kind of personality is irresistible to an employer. It shows them that you are someone they need around for a very long time.

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