Let’s face it. Most of us all have had a job we absolutely hated.
Whether it was your first summer gig in high school as a movie theater attendant; where you traded free movies for long nights of scrapping gum from under theater chairs. Or your first retail job where you worked 10-12 hours plus every single weekend enduring verbal abuse by customers who “always” just happen to be “right”. Maybe for you it is/was your first “grown up job” post graduation and your entry level salary makes you question if the tailgates and frat parties over the last 4 years were really ever worth it? Thanks college.
Over the years, I’ve had my fair share of the best to the worst and everything in between. Working for different companies/organizations, I’ve meet some of the best people which have served as a gateway to amazing friendships. I’ve also met some people that I wouldn’t exactly want to do lunch with anytime soon either.
Though I cherish the good that came from each opportunity, I’ve grown to appreciate the bad and the temporariness of that particular season. I’ve come to realize that the more fruitful lessons come from the worst ordeals. And through the worst of times, you truly grow.
Here are my top five lessons over the years learned from the worst job ever..
1. This Does NOT Define You: I want to challenge you to know that where you are right now in does not define anything about you other than your present situation. Remember this is only temporary. This does not define who you were, who you are, or will be. Don’t view your current position as a permanent title or placeholder in your life. Allow the opportunity to be a vehicle to take you where you would like to go but do not give it strength enough to define you or your purpose.
2. Work is Not Family:
Regardless of your company’s mission statement or workplace hyperboles being used in your organization, please note that work will never replace family. Now I absolutely agree with the benefits of a healthy work culture and support positive workplace interactions amongst colleagues and coworkers. However when you begin to reverence your organization with excess familiarity, you will ultimately end up disappointed. Again I am not discouraging teamwork. However please note that the workplace is not designed to substitute or supply your relational needs and can eventually leave you void.
3. Grow Unapologetically:
If you are the smartest in the room, leave the room. Don’t dumb yourself down or settle for the status quo because others around you don’t want more. If you desire to grow, position yourself to gain new knowledge. Cross train, sit in a meeting for a different department as yours, seek out and find a mentor, do whatever is necessary to continuously grow. Remember it’s not where you are but where you are going.
4. Be Ok With Others Not “Getting You”
To reiterate #3, never allow those around you to idle you. If those around you “don’t get you”, don’t take that on as a deficiency. Your purpose is not contingent on others “getting” you. So be brave enough to lead while others don’t necessarily understand your plan. Understand that others cannot and will not always see your vision immediately but be steadfast in your commitment to see it through.
5. Be Humble.
I believe that humility has heavy influence in our future. A humble heart is a necessity to achieve great heights in our life. Looking back I am so incredibly thankful for some of the humbling experiences within my career that I was indeed blessed to have experienced. Had I not, I know that any success that came thereafter would not be possible. Paying your dues is essential especially if you aspire to be a leader. So if you feel like you are on the bottom of the totem pole today, hold on to that. Because you’ll need that raw emotion later for your success that is coming your way.