My name is Megan and I'm a Workaholic.
It's been 24 hours since my last shift, tomorrow is Saturday but I've already lined up more work. I can't help it. Money is a bit of the equation, but the work is truly the reward. Knowing that people need me, that I can do a good job and get recognition for it, and the satisfaction of looking back on a shift or a project and feeling like I've done my best is a drug. It's... well... satisfying.
I don't know if people look for that anymore. Do they look at a task and think, "Damn. I'm going to rock this!" or "Let's just get this done."? Is there still a sense of pride? That confidence and self-worth that can be found in completing a task? Everyone asks how to boost confidence, self-esteem and initiative. Positive reinforcement is only part of it. You can't positively reinforce people all the time. They'll see through it. After a dozen "good job!" comments, they'll catch on that you're just blowing sunshine up their ass.
I currently teach about 110 students. They are all pretty cool people. Some have got their shit together. They have goals, they show up to class, they hand in assignments on time, they take notes. Others surf, text, read, get easily distracted or simply skip the class. (I have mixed feelings on this, but we'll get into that later.) By coming to class and then tuning out, they're absent. They miss things that are important. Not just because they become test questions, but because they are "life hacks" or "job hacks". All the stuff you learned in high school brought into context and shown a purpose.
If it was high school, I would understand. You have to be there. Your parents insist and unless you want to dress down on a street corner with a cardboard sign and a cup, your options are limited if you choose not to complete high school successfully. But this is college. This is optional. You pay extra to be here. You forego the chance to bring in a paycheque so that you can spend more time in class. Ideally, to get yourself further up the food chain later in life. Supposedly you have selected a course study that excites you. Supposedly, you've chosen a path. And yet, they show up and remain absent.
What I worry about is the aftermath. Will they spend their time, their money, their lives on a college education only to look back and say, "What a waste. I learned nothing. I never used it."? Will they consider their role in that? Will they blame the institution, the economy, the "hand they were dealt"? (How passive is that?)
Maybe they will take responsibility. They'll understand that they didn't take advantage of what was standing in front of them for 3-6 hours a day trying to fill their brains with information for their future. Perhaps they will realize that to build a future, you must pick up a hammer and nails instead of waiting for the the future to unfold.
I can sit on my couch and get another year older. I can do absolutely nothing and I will still age another year at my birthday. But I will not grow. I will not be any wiser, or have any better understanding of the world around me. It's my job to grow. It's my job to make my world better and enjoy the life I create. No one else can do that for me.
And really, why would I want them to?
