| I’m rereading this classic bestseller, and this quote struck me.
It reminded me of one of my first jobs after college. I took the highest-paying position available.
It was in pharmaceuticals at the dawn of the corrective vision surgery industry. We provided surgical pre and post-op medications.
Although I had zero medical training, I figured with my strong work ethic, I can make it work.
My Weekly Routine
Every Monday, at the crack of dawn, I would visit doctors in my territory – of hundreds of miles. Often, I would not return home until the following Friday, close to midnight.
I spent every Saturday morning conducting a mandatory inventory of prescription medications.
Sunday mornings were dedicated to ‘territory management,’ computing which physicians to visit the following week.
Monday. Rinse and repeat.
Eye-Opening Call:
One year into my career, I get an eye-opening phone call. (Yes, pun intended!)
It was from Ann. She graduated first in our pharmaceutical training program, was a fast-tracker; the company loved her!
Tearfully, she began, “I hate this job!”
–Silently, I agreed. ‘Me too!’
“I spend all week on the road and all weekend preparing for the road! I have no social life!”
– ‘Ditto!’
“Some Surgeons are jerks!”
– ‘I know!‘
“Rather than bedside manner, they have scorn-side-manner!”
– ‘Amen, sister!’
In addition to Ann’s complaints about our job, It required that we observe surgeries.
The problem was I’m squeamish at the sight of blood. I could pass out with a papercut.
After listening to Ann, it confirmed I don’t like this. The following day, I gave my boss my two-week notice.
He was not happy.
But I was.
And I’ve never looked back on that decision with a second of regret.
What’s Your Story?
What is your example of getting clear on what you don’t like? How did you handle it? |
