So anyone who might read this blog probably knows that I am working full time at an oil company called Newfield Exploration. I got my foot in the door thanks to my amazing sister Emily! It's such a fantastic job right out of high school. It pays way better than any job I could possibly find at this age, (other than a young drug lord) it is good experience, and it's good networking. It really is fantastic. I'm so thankful that I'm making money to go through college and go on a mission in the future. However, I find myself having a hard time with the change.
Again, I'm super thankful for the job and maybe I'm just a ignorant teenager but working full time is incredibly stressful and tiring. I know I'm working for all the right reasons but my summers have usually consisted of sleeping in, practicing guitar, and playing video games (with the occasional job or two thrown in there). I never really appreciated how much time I have had for the past couple years and now I'm kicking myself for not utilizing it as much as I could have.
I remember thinking at one point last summer that I hated sitting around and doing nothing productive. I was an idiot! As much as I wasn't wholly productive, I was doing three of my favorite activities all the time. Now I feel like every second I don't use at home is a huge waste. I only have a short amount of time until I go out to college up in Idaho for BYUI and I still have so many things to do. I have to pack, I have to make more money, I have to help my family move into a different house, I have to figure out what I want to study up at school...the list goes on for ages.
I have all of these things happening at once and not enough time but when I think about it, that's what growing up is all about: Having my own life and being solely responsible for my own choices. I have so much more responsibility and so many more decisions to make than I ever have in my entire life. It's super daunting but I think I can do it if I have the right attitude.
I don't know what it is, but in the past couple months I've realized something really important: my attitude can actually be to my benefit. I will admit it, I've been fairly pessimistic through much of my life but I think that is going to change. Today, I had the slowest day yet at work, it was atrocious. I went into today thinking about how much I would hate it and it turned out to be just as awful, if not way worse than what I excepted. My sister Charlotte always tells me something when I'm in a bad mood, "don't have a badittude." As much as I absolutely detest that cheesy, dumb saying, it has some merit. Maybe we should all choose good attitudes. I know that I could easily make my summer much worse and less than enjoyable but now I feel like I have that choice. I choose a positive, enjoyable, exciting summer with as little negativity as possible (I seriously have no clue what this person has done with John Wood).
Working has seriously been a huge slap in the face. Reality has hit me hard but I'm slowly starting to learn so much more than I intended. I may have gone into full time employment expecting just steady income but I am gaining so much more through everything I am learning. I am actually starting to get excited about my future and everything I have yet to learn. I thank everyone for their positive attitudes and support throughout my life. I have so much more to do and accomplish but hey, at least my summer is going to be fantastic.
Making a list of what you need and/or want to accomplish within a certain time period might help you out. I figure out what I need to do within, say, a two week period. Then I plan what days I want to work on which item of business. I don't always get to them on the exact day I plan; but it helps me keep on top of things.
ReplyDeleteEven though you might not have as much free time as you'd like now; you will have more when you're at school. Which you will appreciate.
I'm excited for this new phase in your life!
This is so cool, John! I was thinking when I saw you recently that working full time is a huge change. I was impressed at your determination. Getting up early and commuting and working all day is not fun, but it is worthwhile. And like Claire said, I think you will appreciate the time and freedom you have at school so much more now. Nice attitude!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, John. Attitude is everything and it is the only thing you can change. You can't change other people. You can't change the circumstances. You CAN change you and your attitude. It is actually a really empowering discovery; you are alway in control.
ReplyDeleteI know it is hard to adjust to full time work, but think about your future endevors: college, a mission, more college, family, full time employment. None of those things allow us to sleep in, play video games or mess around on the guitar all day, everyday. You will alway have time for those favorite things, they will just be squeesed into "real life". Nothing could prepare you better for this, than what you are doing this summer. I am super proud of you.
(If you are every feeling bummed out about how much you have to work, think of me when I was 18 the summer between high school and college. I worked one full time job (the night shift!) and one part time job, during the day. 60+ hours a week, sleeping inbetween, 1600 miles away from all my friends... It could alway be worse!)
Great! Finally, that sign that has been hanging on the pantry door in the kitchen for the past 4-5 years is working! "Attitude is everything. Pick a good one."
ReplyDeleteLove you, bud.