Scott Free Thinking

The past few days I’ve not really had any time to write because I’ve been extremely busy with my “financial recovery plan,” or in other words - working endless hours at a low paying job. In any case, there are a number of things that have gotten me thinking while spending so much time in one place. Let me first talk about what it is I am now doing, at least until the month of May. I am working as a Ride Operator where there are a number of mechanical attractions, like a carousel, and ferris wheel. I’m the guy who lets people in, takes their tickets, and hits a couple buttons here and there to give people a good time. I’m also the guy who makes sure everyone is safe while riding. For many people, there is probably not a single thought in their mind as to what it’s like to be one of those guys loading people in, letting people off, all day long, day in and day out.

I’m here to tell you that this particular job, like many, many others, is filled with a sort of blatant monotony that only few have the tolerance to maintain their sanity with, or at least, maintain their sanity and behave at the same time.

Do you have a job you hate? Well then think about a few pointers that will allow you to keep your sanity through a typical American low wage, high hour job. Number one, do the job well - it might sound a bit strange when you’re getting paid so little but the main point behind that piece of advice is that you are keeping your focus behind whatever it is you’re doing, and the more intensely you focus, the more occupied your consciousness will be, and the more quickly time will pass. For jobs like shelving, stocking, cashier work, and the like - staying focused and keeping occupied passes the boring time a little faster.

One interesting thing that you’ll also find when working a low pay job is that your attitude is likely to change. And it’s beautiful. Often being around negatively oriented people, you will begin to see the world in a different perspective than you might have before. Suddenly watching people will begin to change your views on people themselves. I think it is typically true that everyone is just a little stereotypical when it comes to how they perceive the average individual from the general public. Learn to try to look deeper from the small snippets you see of people for the mere seconds you interact with them.

If you’re something like a waiter, for example, try to diversify the things you say. Do not just follow the same old sayings where you tell people, “thank you for coming,” every single day, no matter who they are. Take notice of particular things about particular people, and attempt to make a connection where ever possible. If you notice they’re wearing a shirt from a TV show or movie you like, make a reference from the movie to them, get a smile out of them and during that boring, nothingness day you’ll find yourself being grateful for giving them that smile in a way you never would have expected before.

Don’t just blend with the other employees - a lot of people when they first start a new low-pay job will attempt to “mesh” with the other employees to fit in and not be bothered. Do not do this under any circumstances but instead be you, and nothing more, nothing less. Don’t be fake, and similarly let the others around you be who they are just as well. The people you work with are meant to help create a relaxed, open environment for everyone else working there. If you are in a situation where you do not have this, do NOT stick around! The great thing about low paying jobs is that they’re everywhere, and you can always find another one!

Take note of, and cherish, your experience during a particular job, because while you may not realize it during that time, you are actually learning things during every part of it. You will learn things about human nature, about economics, about culture, and something that I have only recently taken an interest in is adolescent development, and child psychology. You can learn just as much from a minimum wage job as you can some jobs where you’re working research and development as a scientist. It might be a different kind of knowledge, but it is valuable nonetheless.

And now, without further ado, I believe I have some more hours to work.