Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 17:22:08 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2016 15:17:44 GMT -5
Where do you think you got your work ethics? Did you parents lead by example?
The self-sabotage thread got me thinking about it - When people are hired for a job but don't want to work the hours expected. Our office is open 8 AM to 5 PM and we have one worker that doesn't seem to care if there is someone there or not. It is such a small office, you should make sure someone will be there if you have an appointment or an errand to run. She would lock the doors and leave. It's not her problem. We don't have an answering machine either.
My parents both worked full-time and they were not to be bothered when at work. That's just the way it was.
I admit - I am usually here 8-5, but I do go on a certain message board once in a while. I still answer the phone and greet customers when I am on said message board.
|
|
ken a.k.a OMK
Senior Associate
They killed Kenny, the bastards.
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 14:39:20 GMT -5
Posts: 14,240
Location: Maryland
|
Post by ken a.k.a OMK on Dec 14, 2016 15:22:42 GMT -5
From my parents. The last few years that I worked I came in early and started with reading emails. Not all were work related. I got on here during the day but never let it interfere with work. I left on time when I could, but stayed many times to finish things.
|
|
billisonboard
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 22:45:44 GMT -5
Posts: 38,255
Member is Online
|
Post by billisonboard on Dec 14, 2016 15:44:35 GMT -5
Where do you think you got your work ethics? Did you parents lead by example? I got mine mainly from my mother. She didn't work very hard either.
|
|
Tiny
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 21:22:34 GMT -5
Posts: 13,494
|
Post by Tiny on Dec 14, 2016 15:44:57 GMT -5
I'd say my parents: 1.) the resounding theme at home was "As long as you live under MY roof - you WILL DO as I say" which pretty much made it clear that the only way to 'escape' was to move out.. 2.) the fact that asking the parents for money (or to buy something like a toy or a special breakfast cereal or $$ for the ticket to go to the school dance or for a field trip ) resulted in a strong "NO"... each and every time.
It pretty much made finding ways to get money (earn it) not as horrible as the alternative (living at home and not having any say in anything).
I discovered that going to a job (even a sort of crappy one) - was better than being at home AND being penniless. Cause if you were home and weren't doing something (like studying/homework or helping with chores) my parents would FIND something for you to do.... I suppose if you are penniless and manage to find friends who will foot the bill or if you can find a 'sugar daddy' it might be worth the stress of living at home - but there still would be all the stress of "you're painting the garage on Saturday OR you can find some place else to live!!!"
I think I'm pretty much self motivated to work/earn money - because the alternative of 'having no place to live and no money' seems really horrible (and I have no skills for accomplishing it.)
Ethics wise I realize that accomplishing what the boss wants = a pay check. The worse jobs I had were the ones were I had to look busy ALL the time - even when the work was done. The work wasn't 'graded' by the boss - how BUSY I was - was what was important. I HATE doing endless amounts of busy work. I HATE doing 6 steps to accomplish something when I can clearly see that only 3 steps are needed.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 17:22:08 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2016 15:56:37 GMT -5
I think that often times work ethics come from experience and having the brain power to figure out what actions will get you ahead in business.
|
|
Tiny
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 21:22:34 GMT -5
Posts: 13,494
|
Post by Tiny on Dec 14, 2016 16:01:55 GMT -5
My best guess for the self sabotager in the other thread - is that her life isn't really all that bad the way it is... and that going to job interviews that she has no hope of getting thru isn't as painful to her as you'd think.
I've found that people are REALLY good at avoiding things they don't want to do.... apparently the awfulness of looking for a job is less painful than actually HAVING a job.
|
|
countrygirl2
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 7, 2016 15:45:05 GMT -5
Posts: 17,541
|
Post by countrygirl2 on Dec 14, 2016 16:24:19 GMT -5
My husband and I just enjoy working, why I don't really know. My folks worked like crazy, his dad was rather lazy but they both were at work on time and didn't miss work. His mom worked hard at work. But my husband would put his dad to shame, his dad told me before we were married DH was lazy!! Say what! The guy is a workaholic.
|
|
rob base
Well-Known Member
Joined: Aug 21, 2016 13:08:22 GMT -5
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by rob base on Dec 14, 2016 16:37:38 GMT -5
What's the name & URL of the message board you're talking about? I am looking for a good message board......
|
|
dee27
Senior Member
Joined: Sept 28, 2016 21:08:12 GMT -5
Posts: 2,211
|
Post by dee27 on Dec 14, 2016 16:46:57 GMT -5
My parents worked very hard and all of their children adopted their work ethic. My dad often worked a full time and part time job until he became established in his field, and my mom always worked an office job once we were school age. All three of us worked multiple jobs at one time before we had our own children. My brother is very accomplished in his field as was I. My sister hated school, but she always had a job or two. Most of our children also followed this path.
|
|
billisonboard
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 22:45:44 GMT -5
Posts: 38,255
Member is Online
|
Post by billisonboard on Dec 14, 2016 17:07:58 GMT -5
I think that often times work ethics come from experience and having the brain power to figure out what actions will get you ahead in business. I have done that. I do pity those who don't have the experience or brain power to figure out how to get ahead without working hard.
|
|
Rukh O'Rorke
Senior Associate
Joined: Jul 4, 2016 13:31:15 GMT -5
Posts: 10,292
|
Post by Rukh O'Rorke on Dec 14, 2016 17:17:43 GMT -5
I'm certainly the most industrious person in my family. Not sure why. If any family influence, it would be to being treated dismissively as a child, and trying harder to get it right/do better/do more, etc. years later it finally clicked that it wasn't that I was doing it wrong, it was wrong because I was doing it. Everything came into focus then.
Maybe I still feel less than and work hard to always be exemplary. In quality, quantity, creativity. I'm a bit OCD, even when I tell myself just throw some things together, this isn't important, I usually can't stop myself from trying to make it perfect.
Now that I don't want to go out dancing all the time, there is also boredom. I'm starting to really contribute to my field, and enjoy the extra research activities. So I do a lot of work I don't have to.
|
|
billisonboard
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 22:45:44 GMT -5
Posts: 38,255
Member is Online
|
Post by billisonboard on Dec 14, 2016 17:30:10 GMT -5
... Now that I don't want to go out dancing all the time, there is also boredom. ... The end of the video suggests that there are better things to do than work to deal with that boredom that comes when you stop dancing.
|
|
suesinfl
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 9, 2011 18:02:27 GMT -5
Posts: 2,765
|
Post by suesinfl on Dec 14, 2016 17:48:26 GMT -5
I'd say my parents: 1.) the resounding theme at home was "As long as you live under MY roof - you WILL DO as I say" which pretty much made it clear that the only way to 'escape' was to move out.. 2.) the fact that asking the parents for money (or to buy something like a toy or a special breakfast cereal or $$ for the ticket to go to the school dance or for a field trip ) resulted in a strong "NO"... each and every time.
It pretty much made finding ways to get money (earn it) not as horrible as the alternative (living at home and not having any say in anything).
I discovered that going to a job (even a sort of crappy one) - was better than being at home AND being penniless. Cause if you were home and weren't doing something (like studying/homework or helping with chores) my parents would FIND something for you to do.... I suppose if you are penniless and manage to find friends who will foot the bill or if you can find a 'sugar daddy' it might be worth the stress of living at home - but there still would be all the stress of "you're painting the garage on Saturday OR you can find some place else to live!!!"
I think I'm pretty much self motivated to work/earn money - because the alternative of 'having no place to live and no money' seems really horrible (and I have no skills for accomplishing it.)
This was so me. I could not wait to get out of the house. Bolded= it is a horrible way to live. I lived that life as a child. Fortunately I do have the skills to survive if it came down to it, but I fight like heck to make sure that I'm never in that position again.
|
|
giramomma
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Feb 3, 2011 11:25:27 GMT -5
Posts: 22,161
|
Post by giramomma on Dec 14, 2016 19:04:28 GMT -5
I think it's nature and nurture for me.
But, I'm also thankful that my department does not value butt in seat time. My dept values work getting done, and realizes that we are capable of getting work done as we see fit.
So, this morning, I worked from home, and then I ran a couple school related errands, and then worked job 3, and then went into the office. Then I went to job 2 and came home. I'm spending time with the kids...and then I'll finish up some things with my dayjob this evening.
I don't remember the last time anyone set down a meeting to talk to me about my output/plan my projects outside of my annual reviews which may or may not happen. (I got an annual review for the 2014-2015 academic year. Nothing for 2015-2016.. ). I did have one meeting in the past year to discuss taking on more responsibility, which pretty much amounted to them asking if I could, and I said yes...and they said...go to it."
I understand this is not how most workplaces operate. I am grateful for the flexibility.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 17:22:08 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2016 20:21:09 GMT -5
My parents were hardworking but i wouldnt say i got my work ethic from their example. It is just a part of being a responsible adult and taking pride in your work. I don't like my job/field (engineering) but it pays very well so i will do my job the way i am expected to and i will take ownership of my work and responsibilities.
|
|
zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
Posts: 47,912
|
Post by zibazinski on Dec 14, 2016 20:30:05 GMT -5
My parents were hardworking but i wouldnt say i got my work ethic from their example. It is just a part of being a responsible adult and taking pride in your work. I don't like my job/field (engineering) but it pays very well so i will do my job the way i am expected to and i will take ownership of my work and responsibilities. Hey! How ya doing?
|
|
Peace Of Mind
Senior Associate
[font color="#8f2520"]~ Drinks Well With Others ~[/font]
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 16:53:02 GMT -5
Posts: 15,554
Location: Paradise
|
Post by Peace Of Mind on Dec 14, 2016 20:43:26 GMT -5
I'd say my parents: 1.) the resounding theme at home was "As long as you live under MY roof - you WILL DO as I say" which pretty much made it clear that the only way to 'escape' was to move out.. 2.) the fact that asking the parents for money (or to buy something like a toy or a special breakfast cereal or $$ for the ticket to go to the school dance or for a field trip ) resulted in a strong "NO"... each and every time.
It pretty much made finding ways to get money (earn it) not as horrible as the alternative (living at home and not having any say in anything).
I discovered that going to a job (even a sort of crappy one) - was better than being at home AND being penniless. Cause if you were home and weren't doing something (like studying/homework or helping with chores) my parents would FIND something for you to do.... I suppose if you are penniless and manage to find friends who will foot the bill or if you can find a 'sugar daddy' it might be worth the stress of living at home - but there still would be all the stress of "you're painting the garage on Saturday OR you can find some place else to live!!!"
I think I'm pretty much self motivated to work/earn money - because the alternative of 'having no place to live and no money' seems really horrible (and I have no skills for accomplishing it.)
This was so me. I could not wait to get out of the house. Bolded= it is a horrible way to live. I lived that life as a child. Fortunately I do have the skills to survive if it came down to it, but I fight like heck to make sure that I'm never in that position again. Me too! My parents instilled the work ethics in me and drilled in my head that only losers didn't <<fill in the blank>>. Out of 7 kids I was the only one that had to or could pay rent at 17 and I had to buy everything myself including most clothes and shoes (I got minimal stuff new but I had to buy anything outside of the one pair of school shoes and any clothes over 3 outfits) since I was about 13. I got a 'real job' at 15 and bought my first car before I even had a driver's license but couldn't do anything without permission - depending on their mood. I couldn't wait to get out and be free! I've always been self motivated and still am to this day. DH says watching me is exhausting. But I'm one lazy MF now IMO. What I do now is strictly up to me. On the other hand - I also had a great childhood in many other ways. Very strange life I led. Spoiled with traveling and living in various countries getting to experience many cultures and cuisines and life situations (in a good way). Grew up with maids and 'yard boys' in big houses and had a pony and many animals of every kind while running wild in the jungles and woods of various places we lived and meeting famous people or having the Blue Angels dine at our house (lots of stuff like that) all with alcoholism, violence, molestation... Good times!
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 17:22:08 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2016 21:26:23 GMT -5
My parents were hardworking but i wouldnt say i got my work ethic from their example. It is just a part of being a responsible adult and taking pride in your work. I don't like my job/field (engineering) but it pays very well so i will do my job the way i am expected to and i will take ownership of my work and responsibilities. Hey! How ya doing? I am doing great! Thanks for asking
|
|
msventoux
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 12, 2011 22:32:37 GMT -5
Posts: 3,037
|
Post by msventoux on Dec 14, 2016 21:43:20 GMT -5
I chose not to live like my cousins...Substance abuse issues and being incarcerated for drugs, prostitution and theft or having a few baby daddies and living on the public dime while getting repeatedly beaten by the latest guy. I chose not to live like my mother and other older female relatives...being an isolated stay at home spouse to a miserable POS. I knew I had to be able to support myself, and I wanted a certain standard of living.
Because of all of that I have an excellent work ethic. I'm naturally pretty lazy. The hard work up front to get educated and into a good paying career seemed so much easier than living a hard life with no real hope of a better life due to poor choices.
|
|
TheOtherMe
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 14:40:52 GMT -5
Posts: 28,129
Mini-Profile Name Color: e619e6
|
Post by TheOtherMe on Dec 14, 2016 22:11:03 GMT -5
From watching my parents. They didn't go in late to work and didn't call in sick unless they were dying. My dad went something like 25 years without missing a day of work. Then he had to have surgery.
My dad would not leave his job until his desk was clean. That meant all the work had to be done. His company had a rule about no personal phone calls. He was extreme on this and didn't call mom. After watching her worry about him on the nights he came home late, I let my roommates know if I was going to be late.
My parents gave 100% to their jobs and so did I.
My sister and I were expected to have jobs as soon as we were 16 (legal age) and we both did.
We both paid our own way through college as did my brother-in-law. We all three feel you appreciate your education more when you paid for it. We all three worked in college also.
I got a job with the federal government out of high school because I had to formulate a plan on how to get to college. Sister did the same thing.
My agency let me work part-time while I went to school full-time. I will forever be grateful for that.
I admit that I had managers that I adored and managers who acted like they didn't care. The managers who treated me like they cared about me and my career got a lot more out of me than the ones who were just waiting to retire.
|
|
giramomma
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Feb 3, 2011 11:25:27 GMT -5
Posts: 22,161
|
Post by giramomma on Dec 14, 2016 22:27:32 GMT -5
Because of all of that I have an excellent work ethic. I'm naturally pretty lazy . The hard work up front to get educated and into a good paying career seemed so much easier than living a hard life with no real hope of a better life due to poor choices. This was a very important piece for me, too. My parents were very clear that I was no longer welcome in their house if I had a baby in high school. To me, supporting myself and a baby on $4/hour, trying to finish high school while working full time seemed rather insurmountable. So, I remained a good girl.
|
|
janee
Established Member
Joined: May 14, 2014 10:04:48 GMT -5
Posts: 344
|
Post by janee on Dec 15, 2016 11:05:53 GMT -5
My parents were hard workers but I think a lot of my early efforts were from a desire to please. I did better than some smarter people because I worked hard! I learned how to study, make a plan, execute it, and continually improve.
One of my early jobs, I had an incredibly smart boss who was driven. I learned so much from him but it involved a lot of work (i.e. following his example). I moved up, enjoyed the challenges, and became successful. I do think my hard work makes a difference now, but I also believe working smart has a big impact too.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 17:22:08 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2016 11:51:34 GMT -5
Myself, my dad works hard but not intelligently, my mom don't do shit.
I work intelligently in that I complete and delegate items into the calendar so I'm not burning the midnight oil very often. The first thing I do when I come into a job is eliminate waste for my team and establish a review process for new tasks. The amount of waste when I started my current job was unreal, I eliminated 75% of the reporting that was being done, nobody was looking at them! Also other departments will try to get someone else to do their work, Sales is notorious for this anywhere I have been. I will sometimes leave early, because everything is under control and complete, my management doesn't care because they know I get things done and work extra hours when needed.
|
|
cronewitch
Junior Associate
I identify as a post-menopausal childless cat lady and I vote.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 21:44:20 GMT -5
Posts: 5,979
|
Post by cronewitch on Dec 23, 2016 8:13:47 GMT -5
Our parents drummed it into us from a young age. My first job I was 7 and mom and my brothers were picking green beans by the pound. Mom would tell us to do our rows over and over until we got every bean, she told us those beans were the farmers money and we needed to get them all. She inspected each time we said we finished until she was satisfied with our work. When I was 10 we kids got a paper route. We were told to place each paper where the subscriber wanted it. We were expected to do a perfect job, no excuses. Dad worked construction and would tell us kid how he did as much work as 2-3 men, he was proud to be a hard worker. My first job after leaving home was cleaning and cooking for a family, they wanted to pay me $100 a month for 6 days a week, I told her it was too much money for that much I would work 7 days a week. I was used to work that was much harder for much less money so it seemed like a lot. My first factory job was 1.25 an hour but I worked really hard and earned raises all the time so was up to $1.65 in 6 months. I kept telling my manager I was out of work and asked for more work. She had me clean the bathroom, nobody cleans factory bathrooms, but I got it clean. I had always been a good worker, respect I was costing a company money and they deserved my work. I even retired with self respect, gave several months notice and trained my replacements and waited until the W2 and year end financial statements were done.
|
|
Knee Deep in Water Chloe
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 27, 2010 21:04:44 GMT -5
Posts: 14,248
Mini-Profile Name Color: 1980e6
|
Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Dec 23, 2016 10:56:39 GMT -5
In my family--my parents were incredibly different from each other: my dad worked his freaking ass off. My mother was/is damn lazy.
I work hard--not manual labor hard, but a lot of education and a lot of hours to balance with raising my children decently instead of in poverty. I do not want to hear--in my head--my father calling me a couch potato. I do not want to be like my mother. My middle sister takes after my mother. My mother enables this by buying her a house and paying most of her bills. My youngest sister also has a Master's degree and is a physician's assistant. However, she piled up $100,000+ in student loans because she didn't want to work at all until she was about 25 and realized that might not have been her best plan. Now she doesn't work because she's a missionary with her husband. She did come back to the States for three months last year to work. She earned about $40K in those three months, and all of it less taxes went to her SLs.
Of our four children--my husband is a work-aholic. Most of that is because it's how he's hard-wired as a WASP American male. Part of it was because he was so unhappy in his first marriage, he used work as an escape. His first wife is farily lazy. She believes the majority of her time should be given to the church. Living in poverty is morally desirable to her. DH's oldest son takes after him--though he's not a work-aholic. DS#1 does have a BS and has a good job. DS#2 is the complete opposite. We had to launch him twice, and neither one took. The third launch was of his own accord. He was 22 (He's 26 now) and he decided that working was dumb. He was at least cognizant enough to understand that he couldn't keep living with us and not work. He spent a year living in his car and at campgrounds. He now lives in a shabby apartment with roommates, and he has a slightly above minimum wage job. He's sad that he cannot live in the life style to which we are accustomed, but he's still not willing to finish his AA (has about 60 credits completed) much less his BS. My DD#1 is damned lazy and spoiled. This is my fault. I didn't realize how bad it would be though. As my mini-me, she deals with a lot of anxiety. It's preventing her from actually interacting with people and getting a job. She's been at college since late September and still doesn't have one. We already pay 2/3 of her bills and provide her with a car. DD#2 works hard when she wants something. She dances 15 - 20 hours per week, is a grade and a half ahead in high school, and has a 4.0. We're less worried about her work ethic as we are about her just leaving when she turns 18 and rarely talking to us again. She's just that independent.
Any way, I think most of it is nature, not nurture.
|
|