Once upon a time, long ago (more like eight years ago), I worked front desk at hotel located in the outskirts of Savannah. I worked there when the hotel first opened for almost a year and grew really close to the family who owns it. Fast forward: The owners were leaving the country for a few weeks and called to see if I wouldn’t mind putting in a few hours while they were gone. It’s slow and I figured I could get a lot of my work done while there. Why not? I agreed.
I’d take the kids with me and Darrien would pick them up when he got off work. That was so weird and full circle. When I worked there the first go-round, it was the same routine with him picking up CJ after he got off. Weird and reconfirming at the same time because I’ve been on a mission of going back to my physical, mental, emotional, and So Fundamental foundations to review and, if necessary, rebuild. Here are a few things that came to mind while putting in work:
1. You don’t have to be an entrepreneur to follow your passion or your purpose.
This might be one of those duh kind of things, but it’s necessary to say. I know people who have jobs but feel like they need to be work for themselves in order to really get out there and pursue their purpose although everything on the job is okay. I can certainly relate to being a full-time entrepreneur and a full-time employee; maybe that’s what your peace of mind requires.
2. But you should definitely know why you’re there.
And it gotta be more than just earning a paycheck to pay the bills. Does the salary afford you the luxury to travel, eat out four times a week, keep your toes manicured, and still have enough to save? Is it the people you interact with that you love? The impact that your services make? Even entrepreneurship has its pros and cons, but it should be way more that you love than don’t about what you do.
3. Can you do you on the job?
Picture me whispering this question. I wrote the bulk of my first two novels while on the job. I did a lot of my Call to Copy revisions while on the job this go round. That’s what I mean. Can you pursue your passion on the job?
4. Be good, damn good, at what you do though.
Don’t let doing you or not liking what you do interfere with your performance. That’s one thing I regret about how I left my last job. It was time for me to go, but I was scared of full-time entrepreneurship so I stayed about six months longer than I should’ve. It ain’t even about burning bridges, but your name and personal track record. I want Trelani to be synonymous with excellence. If your heart ain’t in it, leave. Stop draining your spirit and wasting their resources.
5. Always speak up.
When they called to see if I could work, although she sounded rushed, I told her I’d call her back. I wanted to think it over first and know why I was agreeing if I was to do so. When I did agree, I had to speak up about the pay. When they asked if I could work a couple more weeks, just one or two days per week, I peeped where that was going and politely declined. Be willing to speak up for yourself. Always. In all environments.
Feel me?