As an employee, your desire to play it safe sometimes makes work in general hard to take. Your colleagues, your boss and the enterprise that pays you needs you to stop being obnoxious. You need to be at work for way more than your paycheck. You need to be at work to be a part of something. You also need to be there to grow. Work makes our lives better in more ways than one.
Work makes the person.
A career, a job, a part-time job gives you purpose, hope, a social structure, a paycheck. It puts food on your table, your kids through college, and gives you a place to learn new things. Work matters. No matter what kind of work you do.
Your boss is counting on you. Your colleagues are counting on you.
When you show up, the fabric of the organization is more complete. You’re needed at the place you go to. Most of us spend more hours of the day at work than at home. It matters that you be a part of a group of people participating in something together. Even if you feel as if your role doesn’t play a big part. It does.
Your family needs you to go to work.
It’s not just for the paycheck. They need you to learn new things, speak to other people, and bring home topics to talk about. They need your spirits to be lifted up just as much as they need you to come home grateful to be there.
These days, I notice too many people act as if they’re disposable. They don’t show up at work. Co-workers cancel shifts. Or they quit without warning. Too often, they’re pissed when they are there or they hate what they do.
People act as if they’re un-needed. Un-wanted.
Nothing could be further from the truth. When you don’t show up at work, everyone suffers. Other people have to pick up the slack. Your manager becomes cranky. Colleagues feel put upon and you are missed. Your boss may be over it.
When you don’t show up, you’re being obnoxious and you risk losing your job.
Jobs are plentiful so you may be thinking, ‘so what?’ Well, as someone who employs others and works with others, what you show me when you’re not there with me is that you think you’re better than me. So maybe you’re right, maybe you do think it doesn’t matter.
Or you may feel you’re not wanted or that your boss or colleagues were mean. That you need to take a personal day. I get all that and you may be right! You also may be expecting too much from others.
There are days people are people and they can suck.
There are days when everyone’s moodiness needs a break. You’re also part of the fabric that keeps everyone in check. When you come in ready to work, the feeling is contagious. You can make or break a day.
Your participation can make or break a business.
Not necessarily because you’re the owner or the boss but because you contribute to the spirit. It’s important to get that everyone matters at work. So show up, bring a great attitude, and participate willingly.
Laura Bonarrigo is a Certified Life Coach and Certified Divorce Coach. Laura’s a writer, public speaker, and advisor to those ready to move their lives forward. For empowering and practical ways to begin anew whether personally or professionally, set up a call here.
