Smedley’s Tips for Job Satisfaction
Waldo Smedley, geezer Ernest Smedley’s grandson, approached the old boy recently looking for some advice on getting a job following his graduation from UCA in May of this year. Waldo has great respect for his “Gramps” as over a rough patch in Waldo’s teen years, Gramps stood by the kid, bailing him out of a few jams and encouraging him to make something out of himself. Waldo took his advice, reversed course in high school and then graduated from UCA getting a degree in Finance. After a wasting a few months celebrating his graduation, Waldo was now in need of converting his education into money so as to cover his living expenses and to make payments on his student loans. Waldo’s father, Ernest Smedley, Jr. , was tapped out from diabetes and other alcohol related problems, living only on his $775 monthly disability stipend and Mildred, his mother, had dumped Junior several years ago for good reasons and and married another unfortunate loser, so she, like Junior, were no help to Waldo either. Waldo’s degree in finance was more by default rather than by choice as he changed directions so many times in his first two years at UCA, that Finance gave him the only reasonable chance to graduate in money-saving four year time frame. He did not want to pile up any more debt by hanging around another year, and frankly, Waldo was just happy to move on having little appetite for more studying. Waldo did have several positive things going for him: he was reasonably attractive, healthy, fairly bright, and carried a decent level of maturity gained by his trials in his teen years. Perhaps his best quality was the respect and gratitude he had for his grandfather, who had been there for him through thick and thin. Maybe Gramps had some good ideas for him. Waldo arrived early at Gramps’ two-wide on Milkweed and spotted Gramps sitting in one of the two folding chairs on the porch. “Hello, Waldo, my boy. What’s on your mind?”, greeted Smedley, “Well, Gramps, I need to start moving on in my life and I need to get a job. And I was hoping you could give me some good ideas.” replied Waldo. “That’s a good start”, Gramps said, “- having a need and the willingness to deal with it. Too many young folks these days think that they are entitled to a job just because they got a degree and that somebody should come knocking on their door with a wonderful offer. That dog just doesn’t hunt in the real world. The truth is that you are the dog and you have to do the hunting! So here are some ideas that have served me well in my life: If you don’t like animals, don’t work in a zoo. The only thing worse than a lousy job is having no job at all. Job grass is like every other grass: it appears greener on the other side, but it isn’t. Don’t quit your current job until you got a new one. When you go to work, don’t leave your integrity behind. Whatever the job, do your very best every day. Work is a blessing from God; idleness is the path of the devil. Be humble and open to instruction from both those above you and below you. Do not broadcast your complaints or bring them home but ask God to change your attitude. Whistle while you work, be a joy to your fellow workers. Look to do (work) what you are good at and what you enjoy. Be willing to change directions. Allow doors to close and then open new doors. Be patient and keep your expectations reasonable. Failure is a beneficial teacher while easy success breeds arrogance. Don’t quit your day job, especially if you have a family to support. Finally, be grateful that someone is willing to pay you, especially as you begin a job. “Well, thanks for this advice. I will take every word to heart. I love you, Gramps!” “Thanks for honoring an old geezer like me, Waldo. My love goes with you always.”