There Are NO Useless Jobs

Job complaints are as common as jobs. I know; I’ve been guilty.

• It isn’t meaningful.

• I’m not being paid what I’m worth.

• My boss is making my life miserable.

• I lack purpose.

• I was meant to be doing something with a more significant impact.

And the list goes on…and on

I was reminded recently how every one of my job experiences, however seemingly insignificant, helped me become the man I am today.

I’m standing with Kathy in a drink line at a fundraising event. We were standing behind a young woman wearing a fluffy black rap.

I said, “That wrap makes you look warm and happy.”

She answered, “I love to wear this. Feel how soft it is.”

Kathy and I both reached out to stroke the fur.

Then Roger, her boyfriend, showed up. He said hello, and we introduced ourselves. When he turned back to face forward toward the bar, I noticed the tails of his suit jacket were still tacked from the manufacturer—these two white threads x’s on each side of the back of his suit jacket.

Kathy saw it at the same time. It was hard to miss as it was a white thread on a navy blue fabric.

“Should I tell him?” I asked Kathy. I asked her because sometimes I say or do something with a stranger that annoys her. She often wonders, “Why can’t you mind your own business?”

She said, “Go ahead. Tell him.”

I pulled lightly on his arm to get his attention. When he looked at me, I said, “The tail of your suit jacket still has the tacking from the trailer.”

“Really. Show me,” he said.

He pulled the back of his suit jacket toward the front of him so he could see what I was talking about. He realized quickly that he couldn’t remove the tacking without removing his coat, which would have been awkward standing in line. I asked if he would allow me to remove them.

He said, “Thanks. I would appreciate that.”

After taking the tacking off, his friend said, “You must work in the clothing business.”

I said, “When I was in high school, I worked in a high-end men’s store.”

And there you have it.

My $1.60 per hour high school job proves helpful fifty years later.

Every work experience is helpful later on. Every experience shapes us and equips us in some way. It makes us more valuable in our actions or how we serve others.