Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Right Now

Right now I’m sitting in my office overhearing Jay in his office talking to one of his guys. The guy is kinda hanging by a thread and Jay’s been coaching him for sometime now, with only marginal progress. It gives me mixed emotions. I’m proud of Jay for how he handles his guys and what good of a leader he is. I’m glad that it’s not me that has to have these tough conversations with the employees. I feel sorry for the dude he’s talking to. He’s another one of our 20+ year olds that wasn’t really well equipped for the job market when he came out of school. He has the typical bravado of a man his age. I think the ladies might call him a ‘player’. He’s a good kid at heart but just seems to be under the impression that he can get a head in life while only putting out minimal effort.

We had our bi-weekly office meeting yesterday and while we’re not feeling the pinch of the economy yet, were positioning ourselves for what may come. This guy is making himself low man on the totem pole.

I hope he’s able to grasp what he’s being told and can turn it around. I remember being that age and the feeling that nothing bad could really happen to you. Like nothing could really hurt you, that only happens to 'other' people. I guess it’s with age that you get more concerned about things like, what if ?

Then I have one of my guys who’s been working his butt off for the last two years to get his life back together after a mistakes he made and had to pay for. He’s done a remarkable job of paying off his debt to society and pulling himself up by the boot straps. I only worry because he’s living hand to mouth and we can’t guarantee 40 hours of work a week. I hope their all smarter then I’m giving then credit for. I hope they see how uncertain things are right now and are planning accordingly. But I kind of know what the answer to that question is.

Lord, I’m glad I’m not their age anymore and have some security.

Forgive the crappy post of unclear thoughts sewn together in an illogical sequence.

13 comments:

Mo said...

I feel ya buddy, you know I do.

I have been faced with three situations this week that have me shaking my head and feeling for people. My folks are old enough to know better.

Still makes it hard though...

meno said...

Oh to be young and foolish again.

Oh, wait, i have always been a worrier....

Scarlet said...

This post makes perfect sense. If only they could know what we know NOW...they wouldn't be 20+. :)

Maybe you can pass them some of your wisdom...in a subtle way.

Golden To Silver Val said...

I second that. I would not want to be starting out in today's world. A comedian (can't remember who now) once had an interesting scenario. He said things are backwards...that when we are young and feeling good, we are stupid and inexperienced...when we are older and have gained wisdom and experience, we are old and in no shape to enjoy what we have learned....it should be that we are born old and as time goes on, we get younger and younger, all the while learning along the way. Think of it...to have the experience and knowledge of a 65 yr old, but the body and vitality of a 25 yr. old. I could go along with that!! At death, we are nothing but babies and don't have enough sense to worry about anything. Interesting, ay? Now you know some of my fantasies when I get that blank look on my face. LOLOLOLOL Probably the biggest problem with this theory is that no woman in her right mind would want to give birth to a cranky senior citizen. This line of thought is going to take some more work. Back to the drawing board! (sorry God)

Summer said...

It was perfectly logical to me. I have someone in my office who should know better. I've had two of those talks with her. It was no fun. The next talk is going to be the big one.

Smocha said...

Yep, I have 3 of those.Young stupids.
:)

I wish I could force them to just listen to ME, cuz I'm so old and wise. But noooo they have to go out there and make mistakes and suffer the consequences.

A mother can only hope that people like you and jay come into their lives.

(((hugs to both of ya)))

P.s. I wouldn't be young again for a million bucks.Even though my hotness is gone. LOL

tt said...

"forgive the crappy post of unclear thoughts sewn together in an illogical sequence."......
DUDE!!!!!!!!!! Are we twins seperated at birth????? I've always known that I connect to you at some level...I mean, I 'stole/borrowed' your phrase afterall...but, that last line on your post...that's me!! wow!!!!!!!
That's part of why I'm not posting right now. I just can't get my thoughts arranged in some semblance of order. Frustrates the hell out of me at times.I wish you were closer. ;)
xoxoxo

Jay said...

Back when I was supervisor at a manufacturing company I had those conversations all the time. When they're that young it is almost impossible to get them to listen. They all think they can just easily move on to something better if things don't work out. It just doesn't work that way.

fiwa said...

Sometimes you just gotta learn the hard way - I know I did.

I can't wait to meet the Jay-man.

Jenny said...

I was just telling my sister about a woman I worked for when I was 19 - I remember her BLASTING me for something I did and boy, did I listen... and learn. Sometimes, people hear. Sometimes, they don't.

I just had our low man on the totem pole, quit. Yup, he left a full time job with benefits and walked out into the cold world. I have no idea why. Oh wait, yes, I do... he didn't like to work.

*sigh*

Sorry for my crappy comment. :-)

Leann said...

At that age they absolutely feel invinsible. Wisdom comes with age, hopefully........lol

Real Live Lesbian said...

We're in construction and have no jobs going on right now. I hate to see our guys getting laid off one by one as we trickle down...especially here at the holidays.

I'm glad we didn't go crazy buying a new house. Our payments actually went down. I'm thanking my lucky stars right now...just in case I'm next on the 'let go' list. But then, who would answer the phone? LOL

zirelda said...

I thought the thoughts were pretty clear and sewn together well.

Sometimes I still think I'm invincible and then life shows me otherwise and I step lightly for a while.

Heck, we're only here for a short time....

I hope you never feel the pinch of the enconomy.