Don’t Just Sit There, Change Something!
Note from the Proprietor: This is part 1 of a 2-part post. Tune in tomorrow for part 2
Are you predictable? What I mean is, do people who know you occasionally think they know what you’re about to do or say? And are they right? Now, follow me on this one… Has something like this ever happened to you?
In the engineering business, there are generally two types of employees: direct or contract. Direct employees work directly for the company, while contract employees are basically temporary help, usually hired via some agency or job shop.
The thing to keep in mind is that due to the nature of the business, contractors are well-known to be an independent and somewhat… um (let’s see, how can I put this?) well, mobile bunch, depending on factors like the work environment (”What, no free donuts? I’m outta here!”), hourly rates (“Hey, I hear So-and-So down the street is paying $0.50 more an hour, plus free donuts! I’m outta here!”), or even personal reasons (“Whaddaya mean I can’t have that day off? I’m takin’ my donuts and I’m outta here!”)
OK, I was a contractor myself for quite a few years, and well, maybe it wasn’t quite that bad (at least, not most of the time). BUT (and that’s a pretty BIG ‘but’!) it’s still true that engineering contractors as a group do have something of a reputation.
Many years ago, Joe (another older experienced piping designer) and I were asked to travel to our job site the following week in order to take measurements and make field sketches. Naturally, we had to take a few things with us, so on the Friday before the trip, we left work burdened down with briefcases, drawings, and sketchpads.
At the airport on Monday morning Joe told me a funny thing that happened to him when he got home from work on Friday. As he went into the house, his 16-year old son happened to notice he had his briefcase with him. His son just looked at him, shook his head and said, “What’d you do, Dad? Drag up again?”
After we had a big laugh over that, Joe’s final comment was, “Well, obviously I’ve been a contractor too long!”
So, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, here’s the question once again: Are you getting too predictable? Hmmm… let’s try putting it another way. Are you stuck in a rut? A comfort zone? Has your life become just too… comfortable?
Here’s the thing.
(Warning! Long sentence alert!) Having become inspired by Liz’s Change the World series, and in light of a couple of my own recent posts (Comfort Zones, and Other Impediments and Immortality, and Making a Difference), plus one from a while back (A Light in the Darkness), and prompted by a comment Joanna Young left the other day (bless her pea-pickin’ little heart!), it’s now time for me to do my part in making a difference (sound of Donald Duck muttering, “Uh-oh!”).
THE CHALLENGE
I’m issuing a challenge (sound of terrified screams) to everyone within the reach of my words (which to my continual amazement, pretty much stretches across the entire planet – see that ClustrMaps thingie in the right sidebar). I’ll warn you though – should you decide to accept it, you just may end up changing your life – and possibly someone else’s!
OK, is everybody ready? Here it comes!
The short version: Change something!
Got it? What, not clear enough for you? OK, then just to make absolutely sure you understand it completely, I’ll let you have the long version as well.
The long version: Change something now!
Well, perhaps just a little longer version might help a bit? Hey, no problemo!
Here’s what I want you to do: Take a look at your life and identify places where you’ve gotten into a rut; places where your comfort zone is making life so smooth, it’s now very hard to do anything different (and if you say you don’t have any, well, I’ll believe you – but practically no one else will!)
Then, I want you to deliberately change something about that situation. And, just to make it fun, do it cold turkey; don’t try to analyze or agonize over it, just… do it!
C’mon y’all! We can change the world!
(Don’t forget – tune in tomorrow for part 2 of this 2-part post.)
22 responses so far
Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
You dare to say this to someone who doesn’t even like it when the furniture gets moved … (LOL)
I’ll see what I can do.
Well, I’ve already begun. I’ve decided to finally go after an IT industry certification. Sure, I’ve taken IT courses over the years and that knowledge has opened some doors for me but I just felt sort of stuck.
Stuck in the sense that I needed a challenge and that I couldn’t go further without getting serious and getting certified. So I’ve gone back to college part-time and with my first semester completed I’ve got a 4.0 GPA and passed with a 94.7%.
Laura: That’s just sad.
Barbara: Hey, way to go! I’ve been through similar career path changes like that, too. For instance, It took me 20 years (including the loooooonnng pause) to finish my first degree!
Hi Robert – “bless her pea-pickin’ little heart” – you know I think that’s quite the nicest thing anyone’s said to me for a long time
Still thinking about my answer to the main question – well actually I’m waiting to see what comes along in part 2!
Joanna
Hold onto your hat, Joanna! Here it comes!
Hmmmm… not quite sure what I’m stuck in a rut in… Not that I don’t have ruts, just that I’m bad at identifying them. I’ve also been hopping around the country the entire summer, so my head’s still spinning from all that change (and I’m about to make another trip to the opposite coast next week).
I’ll get back to you.
Hey, no problem, Sam! Here’s a sure-fire way to identify one that you can’t see for yourself (if you dare!): ask a trusted friend (sound of terrified scream)!
Well seeing as it’s already tomorrow here in Australia (Friday that is), I better do this yesterday… Wait a second …
Oh, whatever! I’m just going to go plan my wife’s birthday party a week earlier than I normally would in the hopes it’ll actually be GOOD this year. (But shhh, don’t tell her)
If she likes it, I’ll give you (some of) the credit, Bob!
Yo, Pete! Good luck with that birthday thing tomorrow, er, yesterday… um, next wee- oh, I’m so confused!
But hey, I’ll take any credit I can get!
[...] Don’t Just Sit There, Change Something! [...]
Robert,
Form you six-word stories to the day you moved to this blog and ever since, you’ve been having an impact and changing lives with your words. You’ve even been changing your own. Wow! Just to look back! What an awesome guy you have become.
I’m going to keep with my quest to write words that make one person better.
Liz! Yes, six-word stories appears to be my legacy, doesn’t it? I appreciate your kind thoughts and words – you’ve been something of an inspiration to me and many others like me for quite a while!
It’ll be interesting to see what the next (pick one: year, month, day, hour, minute, second, moment) will bring, won’t it?
[...] the last couple of days I’ve posted a two-part series at Middle Zone Musings on the subject of change, and got so inspired it prompted me to do something [...]
Great article. Many people think the only kind of change that is good, is the change in their pocket. As a motivational speaker, I stress that the only chance you have to become better is for your circumstances or you to change, so change is your fiend. Here is a recent One Minute Motivator of mine that stresses taking a positive approach to every situation and working to make it better and therefor have change work for you: “Go into every situation with the belief that you can improve it in some way. Coming into a situation with the intent to add value in some way focuses your thoughts on the positive for you and increases the odds you will be able to improve it. We get what we look for so looking to add value will create that outcome for you.”
OK, thanks and keep up the good work. Edward W. Smith, author Sixty Seconds To Success.
[...] Don’t Just Sit There, Change Something! [...]
I appreciate your visit, Edward, and thanks for dropping by! And thanks for the OMM; you are so right!
[...] Don’t Just Sit There, Change Something! [...]
Great post, now how do we get people to embrace change on a constant basis? We always talk about moving forward, but how do we fuel this fire, keep this energy alive?
Jon, that’s a great question! I think the primary driver for any sustainable change can be found in one word: MOTIVATION.
So the real question is, how do we MOTIVATE people to embrace change?
Alas, it’s going to be different for everyone and for every change – but I think by recognizing that one fact, it’s a start. I mean, you can kick folks in the butt as much as you want, but once they experience true motivation, they’ll do it on their own, right?
Sounds like something worth writing about, wouldn’t you say, Jon? Why not answer your own question and send me a link for posting here? Let’s get some reader feedback on this one.
What I Learned From Writing Online: It DOES make a difference…
Preface: This is an entry for Robert Hzurek’s September writing project, hosted by Middle Zone Musings. I have showcased Robert’s monthly efforts here before, and will likely continue to do so, for he has our magic, magnetic word in them…
[...] Don’t Just Sit There, Change Something! [...]
Ah…Got it! Great advise. So I’m getting up from my desk right now and going outside while the sun is still shining. Nothing like a little change to invite new possibilities into my day. See ya!
Sylvia Warrens last blog post..Leaders Are Learners