The Damn Newsletter: Tell'em How You Roll...Cruise Control???

Greetings and Salutations,

I had some free time this holiday weekend so look what I upped and did…wrote a new issue of blog that calls itself a newsletter, The Damn Newsletter.

Honestly, there is so much going on in the world. Where do I begin? Here’s my thinking.  Life is all about balance.  So since I’m going to get a little bit motivational speaker…ish below, I’m going to talk about the fun thing  that is staring us in our faces.  Football season is upon us.  The 7 month hiatus has been pure hell and I am so excited for some wrongs to be righted.  That goes for MY TEAM (and it’s been my team since 1981) the San Francisco 49ers to get back to the top of the mountain and for my 5 fantasy football teams to destroy all who stand in my way.  Either way you want to look at it…VICTORY IS MINE! *in my Stewie voice*

I wish I could tell you I have been working on a variety of things.  Honestly I have not.  Just kind of in reflection mode.  I’m in search for direction.  For a 33 year old man, it’s a little stressful.  But I’m confident it will come to me.  But in the meantime, I am open to ideas.  Hit me up! Lol. 

Shout out time.  This issue’s Shout Out goes out to Doctor Pamela Lewis Williams.  Pam is an OB/GYN in Baton Rouge.  Thinking back when I first met Pam in ’99, she said she was going to be a doctor and dammit she made it happen.  Now you don’t  get shout outs for being a doctor alone.  You get shout outs for knowing that when I announce I’m playing a certain song, (Boyz II Men’s version of “Can You Stand the Rain”) life is kicking my ass and check on me.  We don’t talk that often but when we do we have laughs and we uplift each other.  Pam, I’m still one of your biggest fans and don’t you ever forget it!

"Can You Stand the Rain" -- Boyz II Men 

Much like many people I know…I’m not exactly happy with my current job. Notice I said job and not career.  Very big difference.  Most of you know that.  So of course I kind of started hitting the “cruise control” when I’m at work.  You know, when you’re doing just enough work where they couldn't fire you or complain but not enough work to make a true mark on your department or employers.  Reason being: Why in the hell would I bust my ass if my talents aren't being recognized, I’m in a position that is under-utilizing me, and I do not agree with the decisions that my senior leadership is making.  Several of my co-workers either followed suit or had an incredible head start on my cruise control.  (I’m talking like day one, Jack!) 

So here we are…all unhappy…most of us on cruise control…sticking it to “the man”.  What is wrong with this picture? Well I will tell you.  Our actions did not help us to be happy. Furthermore the work was not getting done like it should, so our management team was unhappy.  (which influence more decisions I didn't agree with) And were we really sticking it to the man…or ourselves because we were not making things better or providing work that could catapult us to a different position or job. 

Now as most who read this blog would know, I’m not exactly the happiest person at times.  So doing something that had no benefit like “cruise control” that would drive me to another bout of depression

(depression never really goes away, it just has an “outbreaks” like herpes…lol) just didn't seem smart.  So what did I do, I took it off of cruise.  That’s right pedal to the metal.  Full speed ahead.  I mean think about it.  If you find yourself in a hole would you lay down, complain, and die; or fight like hell to get out of there. I’m a fighter. (you know if I don’t have a proper escape route) So I started to fight.  I worked my ass off. 

“You need me to stay late?  Sure, I’m a team player.” 

“You need someone to work on this project? I’m your man.”

“You want me to come in on my off days to run some reports?"  Okay, I’m not going that far.

 (It’s Fantasy Football season as I told you and Daddy loves his Fantasy Football)

But my point is leading by example is increasing my worth and making my voice louder.  If I’m unhappy

about something, leadership will pay more attention to a productive person that someone who is lazy and complains all the time.  Now my ideas may influence change or if it doesn't, I’m practically interviewing for

my next position if things do not change.  Now far be it from me to get on my high horse and start telling you what to do with your lives.  I mean I am no expert.  But leading by example in your job, your community, and other parts of your life…just makes sense.

But those are just my thoughts…ladies and gentlemen…just what I was feeling at the time!!!