I’ve always had friends that constantly complained to me about their jobs. They tell me how much they hate dealing with nagging customers each day. They drag on and on about how their boss is a jerk and that their co-workers make them miserable. I, on the other hand, was lucky enough to find a job that makes me endlessly happy. So if you hate your job, prepare to be filled with envy as I explain just what it’s like to truly love your work.
My Boss. When I was sixteen, I started looking for a small job that could fund my addiction to Forever 21 and Glory Day hot wings. I had come to terms with the fact that I would probably have to suffer through a horrible, uptight, uncooperative supervisor that looked at me as a dumb teenager to push around. Yet here I am, three years later at the same job and I wouldn’t trade my boss for the world. Not only has she become one of my dear friends, but she has helped me grow as an employee and a person. A good boss is not a tyrant that prays for your demise. A good boss is someone that sees your potential and does everything possible to make sure you thrive at your position. Because of my boss, I don’t dread coming into work every morning and I don’t get anxiety about asking for a sick day. I know that my opinion is valued and that I am respected.
My Co-Workers. Oh god, where do I begin? Co-workers really are like an extension of your family. Some days I want to rip my hair out for the things they do but I couldn’t imagine being annoyed by any other group of people. They’ve been there for almost everything; Secret Santa's with inappropriate gag gifts, cheating ex-boyfriends, and spray-tans gone wrong. I spend about nine hours a day, five days a week with my co-workers. They became a part of my life. When something bad happens to me at work, I know I’m going to be okay through the rest of the day because my co-workers constantly support me. I know if I slack off, they’ll whip me back into shape. I know if I say something stupid, it will definitely be a run-on joke to tell at the Christmas parties.
The Customers. No matter how many times I try to tell someone that my customers are amazing, they refuse to believe me. Sure, in every job you have you may have to encounter difficult people, but for the most part, helping people with their small day-to-day tasks in life is really rewarding. When you have a job that you enjoy doing, the small encounters with rude people don't stand out against the many friendly interactions you have each day. Whether it's telling me a quick joke or giving me advice on laundry, customer interactions are always typically a quaint and pleasant experience that contribute to my good day.
If you have a bad job, I really feel for you. Without motivation or encouragement, I’d be super lazy and probably wouldn’t get anything done. It's hard to work for nine hours straight when you just undoubtedly wish you were somewhere else. I know for some people there isn’t much option in what job you have, you just take what you can get. However, you deserve to feel comfortable at a place you spend the majority of your daily life at.
For me, there will be days at work when I’m exhausted, cranky, and just want to go home, but I don't think there will ever be a day when I don’t want to come back. Because, well… my job rocks.
