Yellow Coverall-wearing Minion...

"Not my job." 
"Not in my job description."
"This job is beneath me."

How many times have we heard these, or even thought them ourselves. Honestly, these thoughts should be eliminated from your mind. Working is a privilege and having a steady job is a blessing. I am not saying that we should stay in a horrible job or work for terrible people. But, if you have a decent job with a good company and fair managers - be proud and work hard and don't sweat the small stuff.

How do I know this?

• I started out as a waitress. 
• Talk about "beneath me"... things people ask for or require you to do to serve them is eye opening.  I learned the more I said "yes" with a smile, the larger my tips were.  "Beneath me" became a nonexistent thought for me and I was able to pay my bills.
• Then I worked for a temporary agency.
• Getting to be part of so many different departments, companies and industries showed me the good, the bad and the ugly parts of businesses and managers. Again, I was asked to complete a large variety of projects and jobs. I realized people that were willing to go the extra mile with their job were appreciated and respected.
• Moved through some permanent employment roles.

• Here I learned that a good paycheck is not a reason to stay at a company and work for a horrible manager (money truly does not buy happiness). I also learned that it is okay to not take every promotion offered you. If you know you are no good at managing people, don't become a manager.  I am a very good task person, but I am not a good people leader.  It is okay to "just" be a very good yellow-coverall-wearing minion.
• Started my own company and assisted my husband with his company.
• Here is where I truly learned that "not in my job description" was not an option. Everything was my responsibility. Every decision was mine.  Every little job was mine. If I wanted to get paid, it all had to be done. If I wanted to gain more customers, I had to go the extra mile and do things I might not really want to do. 
• Closed my company and went back into the corporate world.
• I learned I was grateful to have good co-workers who would help me and managers that supported me.  It was great to not have to be responsible for every single decision. It was very nice to have a steady paycheck and insurance again.

It all pays the same.

Honestly, this was the best thing I learned. I have cleaned break-room refrigerators, taken out the trash, opened mail, along with planning corporate leadership events, leading projects and special programs, and being an important part of a team.  It really does all pay the same. Some days I looked forward to running office errands.  The time in the car, away from the normal grind, was a great diversion. Some days filing invoices was just the mental break I needed to make the afternoon hours go by. The important parts of my job were actually no more important than the little and simple parts of my job.

Are their parts of my job I don't like ... of course.  
Do I do them with a smile on my face (and whine about them to John in private) ... sure.  
Am I proud of my ability to put my ego aside and just do the work that needs to be done ... absolutely.

I am a good minion and happy.  

Giving Kudos...

Earlier this year, I posted a blog on keeping kudos.  I would like now to discuss the importance of giving kudos. If you feel amazing receiving a kudos, imagine how wonderful you can make someone else feel.

I try daily to give a compliment or a kudos to someone.  I have found that the more I got in the habit, the easier it became.

For instance:

• Notice that your grocery store cashier has a nice haircut. Compliment her. You will make her day.
• Enjoy a great dinner with a friend, send them a note the next day complimenting them on their cooking.  Mention something specific, to help your friend know you really gave your compliment some thought.
• My company has a "cheers for peers" website where we can post appreciation cards to co-workers. A copy is sent to their manager. I try to send one or more a week to people that help me or to someone that went an extra mile.  The recipient is thrilled and their boss knows they are doing a great job.
• Your friends come to a patio party you threw together last minute. Send them a quick thank you and let them know you appreciate their giving up their time to spend it with you. 
• Snail mail a card to a friend to tell them you appreciate their friendship or thank them for something special they did for you. Who doesn't like finding a card in their mailbox.
• Send a loved one a small gift or flowers or candy - just to say they mean something to you.
• Send an email to a company letting them know one of their workers gave you great service.

The options are endless and the rewards are huge.  Friends, family and strangers alike always appreciate being thought of and appreciated. 

And... you never know... your kudos might end up on their kudos wall.

Discussing Death... Desirable or Dangerous?

Is it okay to talk about death?

Is it tempting fate to plan for dying?

It seems that people are hesitant or even afraid to discuss their death.  I know some of my adult friends are afraid to create a will or trust. I know grown children that do not know the wishes of their parents or even their spouses true wishes. I know many families that do not know the financials and important contacts for close family members.

Years ago, I had a friend whose parents died suddenly in a car accident. The situation was tragic.  The couple was in their 60's and still very vibrant and active. Loosing them was hard on my friend, but would become harder as time went by. The couple did not have a will. They did not have their financials spelled out. They were partners in multiple businesses. They owned a home. They had accounts at multiple financial institution. My friend spent over a year trying to settle their estate. Just obtaining the ability to pay their normal bills while they went through the house was an issue.

During my covid-19 scare, I couldn't help but think that possibly I could die if I caught covid. Luckily, I know my affairs are in order.  My family and friends know my wishes.

I highly recommend, if you haven't already done it, start getting your affairs in order. Sadly, you never know what your future holds. 

What should you consider doing?  Here is what I have done. If you know something I missed, please add a comment. 

• Created a trust, living will and a health care directive
• Added a provision for my cats
• Placed my house, cars and financial accounts in the name of the trust
• Placed my documents in my fire safe
• Told my family where the documents are located
• Included a list of account numbers and important contact information
• Told my family and friends I prefer to be cremated with a fun party thrown in my honor
• I also complete a yearly check to ensure my documents are up-to-date

I agree this is not a fun subject, but I believe it is a necessary process.  

And... doing all this did not cause my death.   😀

Treat yourself as you would your best friend.

How many of us berate ourselves or treat ourselves with judgement and self-disappointment?  Yet, I venture to guess that we treat our closest friends with nothing but care, concern, compassion and love.

I was reading an article given to me by my mom (thanks, mom).  One section of the article spoke about self-talk.  It really made me think about how we talk to ourselves, especially if we are going through a tough time.

I find that I push myself to get over the problem and find the silver lining, before I have even truly taken the time to understand the tough times I am going through.  I berate myself for feeling sorry for myself.  I punish myself for not pulling up my big girl pants and moving on. 

After reading this article, I realized that I would never do this to my close friends, especially when they first experience their tough time. I try to be sympathetic and caring. I listen while they talk through the issue. I try to offer kind words. If possible, I try to find a way to help. I encourage them to find a way through their difficulty, but I don't push or demand they must immediately be "better".

I am going to try and work on this, personally.  If you are like me, I encourage you to treat yourself with the same kindness you would your closest friends.

Next time you are going through a difficult time, ask yourself (out loud if you can - it really does make it more "real" feeling):

• What is the issue? Explain what is going on.
• How can I support what you are feeling?
• How can I help you?
• What does working through this look like?

We actually are allowed to love ourselves, as much as we love our friends. I think this new way of thinking will help me love to myself better.