The original title of this post was going to be, “Valuing people over jobs,” but that’s so boring, right? So I went with a tidbit from an experience I had awhile back when a boss asked if I was willing to work through the Thanksgiving holiday. I’ll share the details a little further into this.
So this idea that people are always to be valued over jobs is a tough topic. In this Thanksgiving scenario I’ll share with you, I believed I was deciding between my job and my family. Perhaps this wasn’t how the supervisor saw it, and maybe I was being selfish because I enjoy being with family. I also know it’s not as black and white as it may seem because sometimes the job has to be top priority. There are times I choose work over people, for various reasons, but for the last few years I’ve tried to keep in mind the following rank of priorities:
God
Family
Friends
Work
Me
…in that order. When it comes down to it, what’s my motivation? Is it to help people? Is it money? Is it something I think God would have me do? Having an income is important, and “money makes the world go ’round,” as they say, but now let’s get into the Thanksgiving story.
In a previous life I worked a 9 to 5 job, actually it was 9 to 6, Dolly! Thanksgiving was approaching and something came up that brought about the possibility that I would have to work over the holiday. I was called into my supervisor’s office and after I sat down, was asked about working that week and weekend. My plans had been to go to Florida to see my parents and siblings. SO my response was, “I’ll do it, but I won’t be happy about it.” There was no hesitation on whether I’d want to work or be with family, family I didn’t get to see often.
This did NOT go over well with the supervisor.
As it turns out, the something that might have come up didn’t, so I was able to go home for Thanksgiving anyway. I didn’t and won’t apologize for what I said. Of course, I wasn’t super happy at my work either, so that definitely played a role in my honest response.
How do you handle, or balance, work life and family life? Do you have any sort of mantra or guide you use in making work-related decisions? Chime in below, let’s chat! 🙂
-Out of the Wilderness
Out of the Wilderness 