Action Changes Things (ACT) Now

Humans are creatures of habit despite what we say about ourselves. It’s reflected in literature, popular culture, social media, and anywhere I looked for “change is difficult”. Even Gandhi was quoted as “be the change you want to see in the world”, yet most people don’t make a change. I even heard a quoted amount of career changes, and job changes is averaging 7 times per American. I firmly believe that’s too high. We dig in, and we just cope with it.

Only our action changes things now.

So when I changed from working at Costco Travel to a Costco warehouse that caused a stir and a flurry of questions I didn’t anticipate. That’s because I’ve been against the grain my entire life up until now and most likely will continue to be this way.

Usually, the direction of a Costco employee is to rise through the ranks within a warehouse, then transfer to corporate / travel / a computer desk job. Of course, that’s not what I did.

I was hired by Costco Travel as a tried-and-true, dyed-in-wool, Costco employee. For thirteen and a half years, that’s what I did. However, in the summer of 2015, I had an epiphany. Like a bolt of sudden truth, it struck as I sat down in my cubicle after another disciplinary meeting. I mumbled to myself, and I think I accidentally uttered it out loud, “I shouldn’t be here”. I applied for a transfer within the company because while I love the company, I wasn’t in the best fit in terms of my role within it.

A scene from the 1999 movie, Office Space, popped into my head. The lead character laments to his co-worker how humans weren’t meant to be in cubicles, staring at computer screens all day, and filling out useless forms.

A few months pass, and my transfer was finally accepted at a local warehouse. Once the transfer was complete, the transition started along with the questions. Both sets of co-workers thought I was completely crazy for wanting to leave a sedentary desk jockey job pushing around a keyboard and mouse all day for always active, back-breaking manual labor type of job.

Easy, I would answer. I wanted to be happier.

My answer is non sequitur. Most of the time, the answer would disarm the most adept conversationalist! Even to this day, I still am asked why I would leave a comfortable desk job for the warehouse. Every once in awhile, my co-workers will casually ask if I regret the change and I answer: Nope, not one iota.

Have you contemplated a big change like this in your life? Putting it off because of fear of the unknown or having no answers to your question prior to the change? I didn’t hesitate, and I’ve been happier ever since. Do you have a similar story to share with me? Please do!

Until next time, be good like you should and if you can’t be good, be good at what you do!

Mic drop bOoM

‘los