Take Pride in Yourself

Recently I took a trip to a local grocery store to stock up my kitchen.  I proceeded to the checkout where I always face a bit of a dilemma.  I can check myself out, which means I catch all the price problems and pack my groceries how I like them.  However, it also means the store gets free labor from me!  So, I decide to go through a regular checkout.

I wait for several minutes while the woman in front of me finishes.  Then I move up.  I am greeted.  “hellohowareyoutoday”  It’s hard to affect the right tone – but think of the most flat, dull, monotonous voice you can and then mumble that sentence out loud in that voice.  This is how I was greeted.  Products scanned, bagged, paid for and then the closing: “thankyouhaveaniceday.”

I realize that being a cashier isn’t a glamorous job.  I know.  I used to be a cashier at a grocery store long ago (when scanners didn’t exist!).  I realize that there are plenty of jobs out there that are less than exciting.  They make your feet hurt, they put you in contact with grumpy people, they keep you away from your family.  But this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take pride in yourself and your job.

The lack of enthusiasm for what we do is very noticeable to those around us.  Our bosses know it.  Our customers know it.  Our co-workers know it.  Your job may not be your dream, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it well.  Every action you take is a reflection on you.  Do a poor job and people think you’re a poor worker.  Do a great job at even the most menial of tasks, and you are recognized for the good work you do.  Be proud of every task you undertake because it is important.

"If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well."

~Martin Luther King Jr.