I’ve been working since I was 13 years old – by choice. I could not wait to earn my own money! I had worked in my grandfather’s country grocery store since I knew how to count every summer to help buy my school clothes. I visited my other grandfather’s furniture upholstery store every so often with my dad as they talked about everything from land in the area to the latest community problems. The store was so full of furniture, you had to squeeze through the aisles to get to his desk which were piled high with order forms and receipts!!! My maternal grandmother Rosye was a bookkeeper and she talked to me about money so much, I knew I never wanted to be in a position where I couldn’t take care of myself. And oh my paternal grandmother Rosie was a housekeeper!!! Those rides with her to the homes of Highland Park (big houses and big money) were full of dialogue about what type of life I wanted for myself and what it would take to get it. My parents, they were the first in the family to work with computers so I grew up around computers long before other children even knew what they were. And I can’t forget watching my aunt run a daycare from her home for years. I often rushed home from school to help with the afternoon snacks and play time. She multi-tasked so well, it would make your head spin! All of these examples of working people who constantly poured into me what it takes to succeed. There was never a doubt in my mind that I would work.
What I am doubtful about is what is going on with the new generation of workers? I talk to my family members, friends, other colleagues my age and we are all noticing a similar trend – a pathetically low work ethic that is annoying. So, I have two theories that I think may contribute to the low work ethic:
So, here are a few lessons I learned from my family that were beneficial in the workplace. And some, I learned over the way. . .
Share your experiences or theories in the comments.