This was the email I got today from my Regional Manager. Just that single sentence.
212: The Extra Degree
(Click link to view) Have you heard of this?
The company I work for (a large corporation) shoves this motivational concept down our throats annually at our sales conference. Don't get me wrong - it looks great on paper and initially is very inspiring. In fact the music track is quite catchy. "At 211° water is hot. At 212° it boils and transforms into steam. That steam can then power a locomotive! "
You see what we could all accomplish if we just pushed ourselves that extra degree?! The only problem is, between my demanding job, large home, three kids, new husband, and everything else I have going on - I'm not sure I have an extra degree in me. And why is it we are pressured to push ourselves even more? Isn't juggling my work and family enough. Aren't I already doing two jobs when my mother was only expected to do one.? I once heard an interview with the actor Jeremy Irons (a Brit) where he mentioned that he had moved back to England from L.A. because he didn't want his children to grow up with the American concept of what being "successful" means. Let's face it, in this country, one is judged by their success in business. We work crazy hours and consider a week or two to ourselves all year adequate time to get over the stresses of the other 50 weeks. None of those silly siestas for us. The month of August at the seaside? Bah Humbug! Going the extra degree...For me that could be shaving ABOVE my knees in my morning shower, even though I'm running late. Do you think that would count?
Okay, I'm done ranting. I think this is just my reaction to it being Monday and me feeling like I've used up half of Tuesday's degrees.
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7 comments:
Once upon a time in Corporate America, I sat next to someone who did the bare minimum to get by, while I worked my tail off. Come review time Year 1, she gets an "average" review and I get an "outstanding" review (complete with practically invisible "standard of living" increase). Come Year 2, we both get "average" reviews, even though I again worked my tail off while she planned her kids' birthday parties, shopped online and left at 4:55 every day. When I questioned this double standard I was told I had raised my own bar so high that they expected me to perform like that each year, while they expected her to perform at her level each year. Why is it that her bar was not raised to my level? Why was I expected boil while her mere simmering was acceptable? It was one of the reasons I left that place. Of course now instead of boiling I'm swimming in a blender....
You are so right, good rant, good rant. It's all so ridiculous.
Glad to see you two concur (Lydee & Robin). The upside of my sales conference this year was staying in the "W" hotel on Lakeside Drive in Chicago and having fabulous snacks during our seminar breaks. We had this incredible popcorn in ten different flavors from some famous place in Chicago not to mention huge Dove Ice Cream bars. Not very conducive to "staying in the 212 zone", now that I think of it.
Another ploy by "Big Brother" to control my life!
What is wrong with just being average and being a good person!!!
Thanks for dropping by my blog. I am still new at this.
Hi Eileen - it's just your typical sales propaganda - I'm just over my job and looking for something new - hence this blog. Looks like you have aspirations of your own. I'm sure we will both find what makes us happy in the end!
Hi Marie Louise! Thanks for stopping by my blog and all I have to say is "Amen, sister!" Sometimes it is just all too much. I thought it might get easier as the kids got older, but that is not the case. It's all good, just too much.
Hello Marie Louise,
love your comment! You are so right! This world is turnig faster and faster and sometimes I feel loosing the ground beneath my feet! Here in Germany all the employers think the "american way of life" in respect thereof is the right way. I don´t think so, I often ask my self where are we going and what are we doing with our selfes and this world, is this the way of living we wish for our kids. I decided for me to work for living and not to live for the work! We all have only this one life, I don´t think that we should throw it away just for a dubious success! Greetings Mira...
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