We are the products of choices.
The path our lives take is the result of many, many choices. We make choices that decide our future and impact the lives of others. Decisions and choices by others affect us every day.
“I’m going to take every single sick day even if I don’t get sick; they’re mine.” — or — “I only take days off sick if I’m really feeling lousy.”
“I choose to have a positive attitude at work regardless of the problems or issues. ” – or — “How can I have a positive attitude with all the mickey mouse stuff they want us to do.”
“There aren’t any decent jobs around here, so I guess I’ll just take what I can get.” — or — “There aren’t any decent jobs around here that I’m qualified for, so I’ll do what I need to do to be able to get a better job, even if it means leaving.”
“I’m going to deal with other people based on who they are, not what they are.” — or — “You just can’t deal with those people; they aren’t like us.”
“I’m just here to earn my paycheck; I’m just going to do what I’m told.” — or — “I’m going to do what I need to do in order to be the very best that I can at this job.”
“I’m tired and grumpy because it’s been a long day, but I sure won’t take it out on the worker at the checkout counter when the product I’m buying doesn’t scan.” — or — “I don’t care about her; I just want to get done here so I can go home and have some beer.”
What are some other examples of choices that shape our lives?
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{ 9 comments }
“I can’t do anything about the raw deal I got at work, so I’ll take it out on my spouse/kids/pets.”
.-= Dot´s last blog ..Comment on Loss by Dot =-.
Dot – That’s so often all too true. The better choice would be to decide on the way home, each and every day, to leave the work issues at work and be a better person at home.
It seems like every day at work, I have to take a deep breath and deal with fires in a positive way instead of blowing up, managing people involves lots of choices.
Sometimes making choices includes asking for help which is something I have difficult with in my personal life and at work. I’m trying to work on that one!
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..The Garden–August 11 =-.
Part of the reason that I didn’t pursue a management career was the idea of “managing” people. Making daily decisions that had impacts on others in the organization would have been — and was — very stressful to me.
For two or three years I was a project supervisor with three to five contractors working for me. When my role in the project was ending, they told me that I was one of the best people that they had worked for. The stressful part of it for me was balancing the needs of the project (company) with the impact on the workers.
Asking for help at work never was easy. Even scheduling instructors to teach when I was licensed class coordinator could be a trial. Often it was easier just to do the class myself. I always tried to work with people to “facilitate” the scheduling. The positive side of that, along with taking more than my share of the instructor burden, was that when I REALLY needed help, there were other people that were more than willing to help me.
Mike, this is a classic post. It has got me really thinking and I have an idea to develop this further. There are so many such forks in attitudes in working life, that other than the owners, I guess that all of us face it to some degree or the other.
.-= Rummuser´s last blog ..A Poignant Blog Piece. =-.
Cool. I’ve been thinking lately about some of the choices that led me to this point in life. More later.
I loved this post too. Might follow up on my own blog, if I ever find (make..) the time!
.-= Vered – Blogger for Hire´s last blog ..Sin City Pictures =-.
Great post Mike- even so more that I am sure a lot of people are feeling pressure and down because of the economy.
.-= Michelle Gartner´s last blog ..Vintage Movie Ads from a 1950 Motion Picture Magazine =-.
Vered – thanks! I have at least 2 more posts in this “choices” series.
Michelle – thanks. Choices are harder sometimes when times get tough.
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