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And Water My Camels While You're at It

Lost Motivation

"I just don't get it," my boss sighed, sliding the office coffee pot back into its cradle. "Young people today just aren't what they used to be."

He stirs in a scoop of non-dairy creamer and two packs of Splenda, returning to the conference table with a steaming mug of hot, dirty water now fully equipped to cause cancer in lab rats.

I thank God for Starbucks.

"I agree," a colleague pipes in. "It's like, once they get out of college, the passion is gone. I mean, where did all the motivation go?"

You've got to be kidding me, I think to myself. This is the part where I stand up, rip out my up-do, and tell them just where the motivation goes. In my imagination, of course. Reality leaves me stifling a sigh in my last sip of tea.

Ask any fresh-outta-school somebody, and they'll tell you why they're losing motivation. Each year, a swarm of diploma-clad masterminds are released from college campuses across the country — armed, dangerous and ready to take on the world — only to end up locked in cubicles licking envelopes until their tongues bleed.

Envelope adhesive has three calories per business standard. And you wonder where those five extra pounds came from.

Real Life Filing

I remember my first job out of school. I flashed a million-dollar-smile in my best dress suit — the only one I could afford at the time, saved strictly for interviews. Poised and professional, I faced my first day in heels that would knock your socks off (or trip me up the stairs, whichever came first on that particular day.) The job was just slightly more than a stone's throw from the proverbial "what I wanted to be when I grow up." I'd waited tables all the way through school, and now, with my big, bad, college degree, I was ready to get on with life. But after months of determined job searching, I was grateful for what I could get my hands on. Hired as an administrative assistant, I was determined to be the best secretary anyone had ever seen.

But a few days later, things weren't so easy. By my third day, I had some serious questions about what the past four years were good for if the only skills I'd need were how to bandage paper cuts and use the Alphabet Song to file reports. Weeks passed and I just wasn't happy. I felt like I wasn't growing, wasn't being challenged, and just wasn't using any of my talent. Didn't God give me skills and passions for a reason? If I was supposed to use them for His glory, how in the world was I supposed to do it from behind a three foot stack of bubble pack envelopes?

Like they say, big things come in small packages. And they're not always in the ones you sign for.

Going the Extra Mile

One of my favorite Bible stories is about Rebecca and her camels — commonly used to illustrate the how-to-get-a-husband concept (which I'm still working on, but that's for another article). We've got Rebecca, Bethuel's daughter — probably a beautiful, bright, nice girl who in today's society might have "no place" outside with the animals.

Rebecca was faithful. She was generous. She was content in doing exactly the task she was given — above and beyond, in fact — because she had faith in a God who had better things ahead. And when Abraham's servant went out to scout out the perfect wife for Isaac, the choice was obvious. With a simple question and a simple task, Rebecca proved that her real value wasn't in her job but in her character.

For example, when the tired, weary stranger asked for some water, Rebecca didn't stop to rationalize the fact that helping strangers wasn't in her job description. She just did the task that was before her — and then some.

'I'll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking.' So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels (Genesis 24:17-18, NIV).

Not only did Rebecca do as requested, but she went the extra mile to do more. An employee of the month before her time, she was a woman with a servant's heart. She wasn't just willing to put in the extra time, she was eager. God had a plan for Rebecca's life, and from that moment on, her path became more and more clear.

Attitude Adjustment

Somebody's always watching. In the same way someone's always suddenly standing behind you the moment you log into your Hotmail account while you're at work. Pour enough water — and coffee, and compliments — and:

A. you'll get really, really good at it, or
B. (and more than likely) somebody will see that you're ready for the next step.

When my attitude changed, so did my progress. I still wear the heels. I still stuff a lot of envelopes. But through that newly opened door (crow barred, with a few brick-smashed windows on some mornings) came a rush of new opportunities I am convinced God has used for good. He's got a nice habit of doing that.

Thanks to God, things are always looking up. In the meantime, here are a few pointers for those aspiring Rebeccas for whom motivation is truly a force to be reckoned with.

Wise Advice

• Remember that even though your boss might be watching you like a hawk, your Real Boss is right there stuffing envelopes with you. He's given the greatest example of humility, and it's one to model with enthusiasm.
• God doesn't make mistakes. None. Whatever your situation might be — working, school or saving up dinero for the latter — you are where you are for a reason. The Lord has an infinitely perfect plan for your life — and He does not lead his earnestly seeking children outside His will. Look at every opportunity as a chance to improve and make a seriously positive impact in someone else's life.
• Keep your feet on the ground. The "I'm here to serve" mentality should follow the sound Christian from water boy to the corporate front lines — no excuses. Don't wish for a position where you won't have to sweat the "small stuff." The best managers I've had can still be caught bringing their assistants a hot cup of tea or hanging around after the night shift to teach free English classes for the prep cooks. All the "great ones" are great ones for all the right reasons. Start practicing now.
• EXPERIENCE: It's a word you'll grow to hate unless you stack your cards right. Everyone's after it, including your employers. How are you supposed to get any if no one gives you a chance? Think of your dream job as a process — it takes time and work to gain the know-how to do it right. Unfortuantely, especially in today's tough job market, employers can afford to be picky. It's their job to get the best, most qualified, most experienced person for the job. Keep a humble enough attitude and that best person will be you in a few years. Those years in front of the filing cabinets are preparing you for just that.
God doesn't make mistakes. None. Whatever your situation might be — working, school or saving up dinero for the latter — you are where you are for a reason.
• It's not about the title. Dare I say it; it's not even about the salary. It's the know-how you acquire on whatever rung of the telltale ladder you might be hanging from — even if it's by a toenail or two. And often, we miss the bird's eye view without an open mind.
• Get an internship in your field. A lot of colleges (much to popular regret, I'm sure) now require internships for graduation. Working on a psych degree? Volunteer in a local church or youth ward. Business major? See if you can spend some time at a local firm. You can help out after school, or perhaps spend a summer interning. You'll gain real world knowledge you won't find in the traditional classroom and the opportunity to fine-tune your career path towards a job you'll absolutely love. Working for peanuts may be no picnic now. But a year from now, you'll be glad you paced yourself. What's more, you'll have gained real world experience to vamp up your resume, and if you're lucky, a first job offer. Both will make starting out a more positive experience.
• Not only is it really all about who you know, it's who you want to know. "Networking" is a buzzword you'll hear a lot these days, and for good reason. Don't be afraid to contact someone whose job you'd love to have for an "informational interview." Most people remember exactly what it's like to be in your shoes and will be happy to talk with you. Take them out for lunch or meet them for coffee. You're showing genuine interest in their field and their life without being intrusive or pushy. You're not asking for a job; you're just asking for tips and advice. And believe me, you'll get a lot of them. Sure, it's unlikely that executive VP will offer you a job because of that great cappuccino you bought her yesterday afternoon. But when that executive VP happens to run into your HR rep from that PR agency you've been eyeing at a church picnic, it doesn't hurt to have some genuine good words put in. Often, these good words have nothing to do with your resume and everything to do with your character.
Most people remember exactly what it's like to be in your shoes and will be happy to talk with you.
• Success is a very relative term. Make sure that the success you are seeking for the next five years does not interfere with the success God has in mind for the next ten minutes. As a follower of Christ, don't forget what your job is. Do it wholeheartedly, as if working for the Lord, not for men. Speaking of lost passion and motivation, don't let it be in this area. Up the anty.

Passion, Motivation and Decaf

C O F F E E  S H O P

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Have any of you had experience with "first jobs" or internships? How did it go?

Join the discussion!

So the next time you find yourself out tending the herds in high heels, remember who's watching. It might not always be fun. It might not be something you'd pictured, or even something you can see yourself doing for the rest of your life. You might be working far below your abilities, or high above your pain tolerance. But nothing is beyond God. He wants to mold you through the process. Look for opportunities to take care of the herds.

One way or another, everyone's putting in their time — watering camels and our boss' plants like a pro. With a smile, of course. Because someone is always watching. And you know Who you're working for. Suddenly, that passion and motivation isn't so hard to find.

Good office coffee is another story.