Don’t be complacent… put in work

 
I am not only a student, but I’m an editor. I’m not going to lie, often times I push my editor duties to the back burner and do something school-related or just rest.
Unfortunately, when it comes to priorities in the real world we don’t have the luxury of having a two-burner stove work ethic.
So if you are the type to constantly push things to the back burner, then you’re going to end up with a lot of dropped pots, or should I say opportunities.
In the real world we have to balance our priorities.
Sticking with the theme of things, in some jobs we can’t even afford to be four burner stoves. We often find that we have to be the entire kitchen in a four-star restaurant. 
No one is looking to hire people with a ‘microwave’ work ethic, and by microwave I mean quick, sometimes sloppy, and often times without much preparation.
Sure you might get a job with the ‘microwave’ work ethic but you’ll never get the job you want.
Any job you do is going to have your name attached to it. It’s imperative that you take control, and most importantly, take pride in your job position and the work that you produce in it.
That really applies to any job you do whether it be a CEO of a Fortune 500 company or a janitor at your local McDonalds. 
Be passionate about whatever job you are hired for. If you care more about what you do then you’ll do it better.
If you are proud of what you have done then you can be passionate about it. It is a rotation that feeds on itself and increases your capability and work ethic.
Make a difference and set yourself apart from your coworkers.
Tackle your responsibilities head on and do your job the best it can be done.
Take ownership for your success and failures, and most importantly, learn from your failures.
Your employers will see the improvement.
That is what taking ownership and pride really means.
You may not be the first choice for a specific job but once it is given to you it is up to you to get it done the best way possible.
If you do that, people will notice.
When they see you taking pride in every job your name is attached to, they will start to give you the jobs that are important to them because they have seen what you are capable of.
With success comes complacency.
You might start to think, “Every job I do has my name all over it.  People will know it was me who did it.” 
Don’t let that thought process ruin you.
Even though you are doing well doesn’t mean you can’t do better. There is always room for improvement.
Constantly show your employers why you are not expendable.
The people who get promotions and bonuses are the one’s who make a difference.
If there is no difference between what happens when you do or don’t come in to work, why would anyone want to pay you?