I think I have posted before about loving what I do.
To recap:
When I lost my last job I made a list of all the jobs I have had since I was 12ish. I circled my top three favorite jobs, two were food service work and the third was Walmart.
I applied at the local store and was interviewed and hired so fast....my head spinned. I accepted the position of Sporting Goods sales associate. I loved every second of it. I loved the Black Friday insanity. I loved the Christmas chaos. I loved watching sales ebb and flow with the changing months. I also learned. I earned full time status. I earned sick time, vacation time, stock options, retirement plan and paid holidays. I earned employee of the month and I also earned a promotion.
I worked very hard for everything I earned. I haven't even been there a whole year yet.
I love every tiring second of it.
I manage produce.
Produce is not for pansies.
It is super hard work, physically and mentally.
I know, you are rolling your eyes.
pfft....
Walk a day in my worn out shoes.
Anyway....
Time came again for a "promotion" of sorts. I put my name in, was interviewed for the position and was offered the position.
Of course I accepted (yay me!)
But....
I must note here that the one thing that is consistent with Walmart is change. This is nothing new to me.
A week or so after I accepted the new position, the job duties changed.
It weighed heavy on my mind.
The new position would not be as challenging as my current one. The rate of pay would not change.
I had a heart to heart discussion with the store manager and an assistant manager. I decided to keep my current position.
I am NOT afraid of hard work.
But....this is not the whole point of this blog entry.
In all of my years of working, I have never ever been so appreciated for what I do. I don't get a mass email form my supervisor "thanking me for all that I do". When an email goes out to the whole team, you kind of realize that he is doing that because it is required of him. It doesn't motivate, it makes you feel less of a valued employee (at least I felt that way).
I didn't just get a 2% yearly raise, I have increased hourly wage by 50% in less than a year. I make more money now than I have in the last 7 years.
I received a quarterly bonus for the first time ever. I worked for a billion dollar corporation and didn't even receive a Christmas bonus.
Speaking of Christmas bonuses, we get 20% off our purchases just before Christmas.
I don't sit and wait for someone to hand me something to do. I don't spend countless hours bored out of my mind behind a desk, waiting for the phone to ring or a quote to be done. I take ownership of what I am responsible for and I make it happen.
Appreciation can go a long way for an employee.
Take the time, thank them personally. Give them responsibility.
As an employee, earn what you deserve. Don't expect it to just fall into your lap.
If you think your job sucks, then it will.
