Mo’ Money, Mo’ Drama

We all want to be appreciated and compensated for the work we do. We want our family and friends to be proud of our accomplishments. We want something to show for our dedication. On 9 out of 10 resumes you will probably see the phrase “Self –motivator”, but what does this really mean? For me it means that I look pass the black and white #12 Times New Roman font on my job description with the desire to achieve more; more than what’s expected, so it’s no surprise that I quickly get noticed in an organization. Now I don’t come in “guns blazing”, trying to over-impress anyone. I evaluate my duties and if there’s a way to do them more efficiently, I do it.

It’s not as simple as said, but it’s who I am and who I’ve always been. I know you’re thinking “over-achiever”, but I truly enjoy fixing problems and finding better ways to do routine things. With this being said, it’s not a surprise to me that I am offered a raise and title change within the first six months on the job; in fact, it has happened on my last three jobs. I come in, work hard and get compensated. The problem is, when this happens, it usually, almost always, ignite some form of drama. So here I am feeling good that yet again I have proven myself worthy in a short time; I’m looking forward to more challenges, the future, yada, yada, yada and the bombshell drops.

At the office you have the folks (you know the same ole folks, doing the same ole thing) who want to know how the new kid on the block comes in and scores the raise, bonus, title change and what have you. Then the chill factor sets in, where people are being a little cold; not even mad at you; it’s not personal, they are just disappointed in themselves for not having the ambition to beat you to it. You also have the paranoid soles who think you must be selling out everyone else in the office if the boss likes you so much; so they keep their distance; won’t even tell you what they’re having for lunch if you asked; as if everything they say or do will be reported back to the “Big Cheese”.

Now let’s talk about the home front. No problem there, right? Wrong. One would think that if no one else would be happy for your successes, your family would be, right? No, that’s not always how it goes down. My Father tells me that I don’t need a raise because I’m not saving any money anyway, plus he thinks I’ve had too many raises already. What’s wrong with this picture? What parent doesn’t want their child to excel? One girlfriend tells me that they pay me for nothing, ‘cause, as she puts it “you don’t do anything” – where does she get her information? Is this not the same girl who calls me to go out for drinks at 9pm and I’m still at work!! That means that I do a lot of “nothing” for 50+ hours a week! Then I have one friend who automatically sees me as an ATM, if I even ask her to get my mail out the mailbox she’ll charge me; want her to watch my 14 year old overnight… $200! I can’t make this stuff up!

It’s crazy because these people steal your joy. What should be a momentous and happy occasion has been plagued with drama – the why her, why not me, why can’t I, why didn’t I – drama! It almost makes you want to hide your accomplishments and not tell anyone; beg your boss not to send out the all users email announcing your promotion to the company, but it shouldn’t be that way.

Why is it so difficult to simply just be happy for someone else; I mean genuinely be happy that someone else has accomplished something. Instead of using the accomplishments of others as self-motivation, we sometimes use it to focus on our own shortcomings. If you notice someone else moving ahead, use them as inspiration and motivation to help you get where you need to be. It’s just like the saying “crabs in a barrel”; no one gets out because every inch closer to the top someone is pulling you back down. I truly, whole heartily believe that God rewards us for our unselfishness, when we can generally be happy for a friend who may have gotten the promotion we wanted.

Corporate Diva