I am a huge Gary Vaynerchuk fan. Gary Vee is one of the best motivators and entrepreneurs in the business, and I agree with him more times than not.
But a few years back, he published a blog called How To Have Zero Expectations. In it, he says this:
"I’m stunned by how many people run businesses and expect others to care about their business as much as they do. The only way I expect somebody to care about my business as much as I do is if they have equal equity in that business. And even then I don’t expect them to care as much as I do!"
Essentially, Gary is saying that employers expect too much out of their employees.
On a surface level, it makes sense. Why should I expect my employees to care about our company as much as I do? They don't make as much money or have the same title as I do. If an employee only makes $40k a year, why should they care about their job as much as the CEO?
Again, I love Gary Vee, but I resent him for saying that.
Why would you work anywhere and NOT be all-in? At the very least, you're always working for yourself and your brand; let alone the company.
If you work your tail off, you never know who may branch out and collect you based off of your performance. One of your clients or customers could be impressed enough with you and the way you approach your business to open a new door for you. You're always auditioning for the next chapter of your life.
I've always been in the fast lane. I've never had anything in between. I always worked hard. I acted like I owned the restaurant when I was a dishwasher. I pretended that I owned the Hard Rock Cafe and Hyatt.
I simply do not understand why you wouldn't want to be the best you can be at whatever profession you choose. You would be doing yourself a disservice.
Your coworkers and employers should want to cry when you leave. If you're truly playing the long game, that should matter. What people think of you will have an effect on you over time.
Why leave a legacy of just being okay, and doing a sub-par job? Why go take a job and just work pretty hard? If a career is a highway, why go in the slow lane and drive 40 mph if the speed limit is 70 mph? Why go into any job without doing the proper research?
It doesn't matter what your job title is.
Be the best waiter. Be the best cashier. Be the best dishwasher.
Most people in these professions seem to be especially angry about their jobs. But you never know who you're waiting tables for. Maybe that person could give you the opportunity you've always desired.
It really bothers me when anyone puts in an excuse for not putting in 100% effort, no matter whether you love or hate the job you're doing. The difference between 99% and 100% is 100%.
When you're not all-in, it’s not a negative on the company you’re working for as much as it’s a negative on you.
I'll never forget my friend Kevin Hall's definition of the term "ollin" in his book Aspire: Discovering Your Purpose Through the Power of Words.
Ollin is a word on the Aztec calendar. When a great storm or earthquake was about to shake the earth, the Aztecs would shout "Ollin!" which means "You gotta move and act right now, with all your heart!" When opportunities present themselves - like the chance to service a client, for instance - you gotta move and act ollin. It's the mentality of being action-oriented. When a client needs something, ollin is about getting it done right now. When you approach things like that, you develop a momentum that goes forward and up, not backwards and down. Ollin is for people who act. I have several friends who are multi-millionaires, and the one thing they have in common besides being humble and curious is that they act. Right now. They pick up the phone immediately and take advantage of an opportunity immediately.
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Quote of the Day: "Life is not what has happened to you, but what you do with what happened." - Kevin Hall
Song of the Day: "All In" by Lifehouse
*My latest book; "Living on Purpose: Stories about Faith, Fortune and Fitness that will lead you to an Extraordinary Life", is NOW available! Click here!*
