My guy Derrick, asked me the other day, have I ever had a job that I really enjoyed. After giving it some serious thought I came up with a one word answer..........NO! I say that with much pain because life has taught me that work is what I do and never who I am! I know 3 many people who get that ideal twisted. Unless a person is running his own business, then you are basically being pimped! 2014 has helped many a people to see that just because you are needed does not mean you are important. Now with that being said, I recently went through a lengthy interview process for a dream job in my field of study. I had to meet with said potential employers 4 times before a decesion was granted. It came down to the final 2 and yours truly is back on the good side of the working world with a slight pep in my step and smile on my face.
Let's take a look back at my previous position to allow you to feel my pain and disrespect. My job consisted of assisting patients in financial distress. I provided them with viable options to result in long term solutions. On paper it seemed like a cool gig, because I enjoy helping those in need. Here is where the dilemma begins: Everyone in this position (even supervisors) has to wear these uniforms, much like public school kids. To add insult to injury, others doing similar work got to dress like the professionals that they presented to be. When I would walk in the patients room to introduce myself and explain my purpose, one of several things would take place. 1). The patient would look at me, in my polo T-shirt and khaki pants, and decide they don't want to talk to me or partake of my assistance 2). A physician or nurse, would come in the room and act as if I am not there speaking with patient about his balance.... and just start talking directly to the patient- while standing in front of me as I wasn't there!!!! 3). The transportation department would come in the room while I am in there doing my thing and just roll the patient off to another area with obvious disrespect. (If I was a Doctor-Policeman or Lawyer would it have been different?)
All these points were disrespectful and definitely rude but probably not on purpose. Here is the kicker, on Friday's my co-workers were able to wear professional clothing and the respect level was out of this world from Doctors, Nurses and patients like it should be always. You only get one chance to make a first impression and I was the only one who seemed to realize that fact. I realized that you are born once, but you can die a thousand times being stuck in a ground hog day situation. I guess clothes dictate how others view you. I can only imagine how homeless people feel?
It took everything in my bones to keep a smile on my face and a positive attitude in my heart each week. I knew that if I stayed the course I would eventually fall into job that is a good fit for me and my family. I sadly watched 15 of my co-workers quit, transfer or get promoted while keeping up the good fight. I had plenty of great ideals on how this position could have been improved on, but every time my insight, fell on deaf ears. I witnessed the management team change rules/decisions like the wind changes direction, with no input from the people doing the actual work (bad combination). Some days I wanted to call in sick (I never did missed a day) or just blow my work off, but I couldn't because my spouse worked at the same place in a leadership role! I dealt with things by enjoying my week-ends with my wife and kids, by being active in the community and regular in prayer. I think my biggest challenge came when the job decided that after working a 40 hour work week, they were gonna call a mandatory Saturday/s for 16 straight hours more!!!! Staff was told that if you don't come in on said Saturday, don't bother showing up for work on the following Monday. REALLY, I thought. Then they decided they wanted to have another mandatory Saturday the next week too! Recall, I de-stress on the week endz but not them days.
Enough of that lol! FFW to now. I love my new position!!! I am regularly asked for my opinion, I can dress like a professionally educated college man, I get to help others who appreciate my efforts and I am part of a team full of happy employees. I am aware that this position too may have its share of issues but at least it is something tolerable. I realize the experiences that my last opportunity afforded me- helped me to use coping skills that I didn't know had. It made me fight for this new position that I had to have and it reminded me that I should never give up or cease believing that something better is out there 4 me!
Some of the issues may have been trivial looking back, but when you R in the fire all you feel is the tickling flames of despair. Moving forward, I will continue trying to be a better person who will never forget where he has been and keep a keen eye on the person I pretend to be on the outside while crying-dying on the inside at times!
((Hey Derrick, I think my answer is slowly moving to a strong YES!!!!!))
I am Ward.
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