My grandpa has constantly given me guidance and advice throughout my life, mainly for work and finances, about work ethic and responsibility. Here are a couple of the gems that have stuck with me.

“When I used to work for a pharmaceuticals sales company as a manager, we had this one chap who wasn’t hitting any of his targets. He was on basic pay but so far no commissions had come in. A few months went by and each time a review occurred he would be very verbal about how it was hard and he was trying. So, the next day someone from the department followed him. To the park. Where he took off his shoes and socks, sat down and pulled a book and some sandwiches from his bag. He then proceeded to stay in the park all day. And the next day, and for the rest of the week, unaware that he was being monitored. The next week he was let go, and told why”.

I couldn’t believe someone would be so blatant, my grandpa just laughed (he has a very wise knowing laugh), and said I would encounter much worse than that along the way.

Another story he had was of a person knocking on doors ‘looking for work’ sharpening knives. Needless to say, maybe my grandpa didn’t want someone in the house with access to all the knives – but offered the person other work. He had some gardening work available, just digging, but work nonetheless. The man said no thanks. It obviously left a sour taste with grandpa for him to remember and retell the story as an example of a poor work ethic. If you need money, work is work.

He is from a different time and attitude but most of his lessons have helped. Even just to help me understand the climate and age he grew up in and came from, where the future did seem brighter, careers longer and opportunities were more plentiful.

Oh how times have changed…

(c) K Wicks