Work

I am at a good place with work. For the first time in a long time I feel that my contentment with my job overides my consternation with it. When I first returned from GITMO, I would have been exccedingly happy with any job that was not the National Guard. As long as I did not have to report to those idiots on a daily basis, I was as happy as could be. As time drew on; my infatution with In-N-Out faded as issues began ebbing at my patience.

I can say several negative things about my job, but the roots of all these things are few and fundamental. First, we are doing everything for the money over anything else. All decisions of the managers are influenced by how the earnings of the store will be affected. Thus, I am ultimately a mere associate number (54466) and often feel treated as such. My other issue is that the heirarchical structure of the company closely resembles that of the military and can similarly breed or effect personalities to the point where people I used to really like at first do not appeal to me as much anymore. Though this issue is not too significant. The structure also makes me super critical of managers/leaders. If they are going to treat me like I am stupid or disrespect me in any way; THEN THEY BETTER HAVE THEIR SHIT FUCKIN STRAIGHT!!!!!!! Nothing makes me angrier than a manager that can not perform thier function effectively to the point that it negatively effects my work experience on shift and then get on me for whatever I may be doing wrong. Another consideration is training is always slow and frusterating to me. I hate not being competent at something, and that shows when I am training. My dissapointment with my own perceived inadiquacy also influenced my mood at work. especially if people at work were not very supportive or encouraging.

Those points more or less are at the root of all the issues I have had. Since the late summer of 06 until just after I graduated this summer. I was jaded with work and was often in a bad mood during most of, if not all, of a shift. Now things are different, thank gosh. I do not get in a bad mood at work nearly as often and if I am quiet, it is because I am focused on what I am doing. I think my recent adjustment is attributable to a few points. Firstly, none of the managers get on my nerves enough to tick me off. Some may have annoying habits or lack experience, but none of them "get to me" regardless. Another fact is that I cook a lot. The fact that I am a cook and cook a lot means that the management thinks I am at least satisfactory at my position; which is very important to me. I feel being a level 6 and constantly working a position where level 4s and 5s belong is disrespectful in a sense. Like passively telling me that I am no good. That used to happen when I was a level 5 and my ego did not take it well. Lastly, I know that I am not gonna be there forever. I have a job/adventure I am taking on soon, and the job that I am not enchanted with will no longer have an indefinite and dismal looking hold on me. It is nice being a happy camper at work more often than not.

I have been contemplating how I will look back at my experience with the company in the future. I feel that my outlook will always be positive. INO makes great food, holds its associates to high standards of quality and service, treats its associates better than most employers I know, and is incredibly flexible with my personal life's schedule. The good has proven to outweigh the bad. I would not be happy making a career of INO I think, but it was the perfect college job.

Thank you INO, I got your back!