If you've never worked unwanted or unpaid overtime, then you can stop reading now... If you are still reading this, then I am going to assume that you are either incapable of taking directions or have, indeed, worked unwanted or unpaid overtime.
It just so happens that I've been doing a lot of both just lately, and I'll be honest: I think I'm starting to like it, and that worries me. "As it should" you say; a little hard work never killed anybody, and most of the people who look at me like I've taken complete and total leave of my senses when I tell them that I am putting in - yet another - 12 hour day, should be thankful that I do. To be really fair, most of them are. Problem is, that they are ground level grunts in the Mincing Machine that is my workplace, and while I appreciate their sympathy and occasional thanks, it's not enough to offset that casual neglect that comes from higher up the ladder.
That's the kicker. The neglect (perceived or real, you take your pick) is never out of malice or ill-will, it is truly casual. There's no real drive to it, it's just there. It would be a lot easier for me to take, I think, if it did have some intelligent design behind it; I'd feel more justified about 'working to rule'. But every day takes its toll, and time is coming when my desire to be professional is going to dissipate, and all that is going to be left is a razor-sharp desire to work to the clock and not the job. When that happens I truly do worry that I am going to become the kind of miserable prick that, right now, I am desperate to avoid becoming.
Advertising genius David Ogilvy once said "Hire people who are better than you are, then leave them to get on with it. Look for people who will aim for the remarkable, who will not settle for the routine". Right now, I'm still aiming for remarkable, but it's a question of 'when, not if', I am going to start settling for routine.
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I know I'm younger but I like to think that doesn't matter in that I too have done the 50+++ hour week, and I've never been paid overtime in my life. I've also worked in a produce dept. which, from the descriptions you've given me of your work...seems to replace hardware with 50lbs bags of veggies. Anyhoo, I've had the EXACT same "concerns" as you do and I haven't really found any answers. All I do know is that you, Johnny Boy, will never be 'routine' nor will you ever settle for it. And hey, like I promised my mom, if it ever happens that you DO become mundane I'll hand you some fine Scotch, get you to drink it and then take your head off with a shotgun. I wield firearms because I love. ;)
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