Lifestyle Choices
Every now and again I am reminded of things that hold people back.
Thursday morning I got an email about some work. I emailed the head hunter back and it sounded good so I went for it. We hashed out the details and I set up a phone interview for 9AM Friday morning. The phone interview went well and the client would like me to be in site next week to kick off the project.
This job is through a temp firm so I have to jump through all of their hoops even though I already do work for another division of this client (a Fortune 500 corporation). So I stopped by the office with my passport. I authorized a background check and took a drug test Friday afternoon. I called my insurance guy and had the firm added to my O&E policy, I scanned and emailed my articles of incorporation and set up direct deposit for the corporate account. This was all done by Friday at 5;00 PM and I'll be working (and billing) my new client my the middle of next week.
My point is that there were a lot of areas where this deal could have failed that depended entirely on the lifestyle choices that I make. I don't do drugs, so I can take a drug test any time. I don't commit crimes, so a background check isn't an issue. These two seemingly small decisions allow me to charge more, get more work and generally project a level of confidence that drug users and criminals don't have.
I know that some people think casual marijuana use is no problem. I don't think pot is worse than booze, but it is illegal. If you want to compete in my field on my level, you can't be involved with illegal drugs in any way.
There are some milestones to success that are easy to spot like a BS degree, an MBA or a certification. They are often the keys that open doors. Once you are through the door, there are literally thousands of other smaller things that will influence your level of success. How you dress, how you act, your attitude and even your height influence your success in business (Tall people and attractive are more successful, in general) Some of these you can't control, but others you can.
This is just one small part of why I always want to know more when someone tells me that they just can't get ahead. There is probably something they either aren't telling me or don't realize is holding them back.
So what do you think?
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written by Harlan , February 07, 2010
My take on it is that it's far easier for folks to bitch than it is for them to try to break down cause and effect, or to fabricate a cause and effect chain of blame rather than reassess what may or may not be a self inflicted impediment to a desired end goal. Then there is the fear and discomfort in the realization that one may need or must need to shift gears to move forward at a faster rate, or downshift to get the vehicle out of the mud. Sometimes the fear manifests in the easy-out statement that 'it's just too much work to do x or y'
It's all in the attitude once you distill it all down - how many are willing or able to do a gut check? How many are willing or able to knock their own ego down a notch to get a grasp on what is as opposed to what they wish things to be? I pissed away a full day yesterday playing a new video game - but with the full understanding that it means that I have to bust ass harder today to get things done. Is what it is, bitching to the client that I need more time isn't going to bode well for future work...so it was a conscious trade-off in delegation of time resource and respect for the deadline. That and I've yet to blow a deadline, so I'm not worried...attitude. Can do or can't do...
written by Kermit , February 07, 2010
I think after you've passed 20 or more of the drug tests they should just give you a certificate. I've lost count of how many times I've peed in that damn cup.
written by Barthélemy Barbancourt , February 07, 2010
I'm chipping away at a massive project and I hope to have a draft ready for review tomorrow AM. I did an open house from 1-3 and I'll be working on this until 8 or 9 for sure.
This is why I completely freak out sometimes when people say that "rich" people should pay more taxes. Millions of Americans are watching the Super Bowl right now. Tomorrow they will wake up, hung over, go through the motions for 8 hours and then go home and have the media tell them that people that make over $250K don't deserve to keep as much of their income as they do.
I make more $$ because I work harder then lots of people. It really is that simple some days.
written by Harlan , February 07, 2010
You know there is a disturbance in the force when I'm one of the few sober on a Sunday night...fuck football.
written by Barthélemy Barbancourt , February 07, 2010
Christ on a cracker, Talk about non-conformists.
I might have a wee cocktail before bed. I'm done for the night.
written by Jim W , February 07, 2010
Look at the upside- starting tomorrow, New Orleans will be re-built and everything will be a-ok. I mean, after all, THIS shining moment has fixed everything for them. A win in a football game has made all the difference in the world! there will be a renewed sense of pride in their city, and it will motivate everyone to get out there and finish the job that was started 4 years ago. The city will be cleaned up and all will be well in Nawlins. That's what the self-important winners and the MSM is telling us anyway.
Meanwhile, all throughout MInnesota, the many cities that have been flooded many many times have long since cleaned up...and it didn't take a win in a football game to do it. They didn't wait for handouts. They got off their asses and did what had to be done.
