Expeditious

It’s not that I particularly try to be, I just am.

This trait definitely never manifested itself in my schoolwork or grades, I don’t think that I was ready to learn as a child or teenager; I found schoolwork mind numbingly boring and teachers to be harsh and strictured.

The first time that I can recall a positive outcome from being thus wired was when I began delivering newspapers. I inherited a paper round that had a recommended time of sixty minutes to complete; within a week I had shredded thirty five minutes from that time, that was the fastest that it was possible to deliver my load and I maintained that time for the duration of my employment.

In the ninety minutes before my paper round I delivered milk. I would join my dad at his half way point with a flask of coffee which we consumed before launching into the next section of the round. Over the course of my time in that job I converted people from bottles to cartons because it was much easier for me; there were always a few who resisted, but the majority seemed happy enough not to be cleaning glass milk bottles and I was delighted not to be lifting the empties. It was always a race for me to finish faster, not so for my dad.

That was to be my introduction to the two different types of work styles that have continually resurfaced throughout my working life. I am sure that experts would have a psychological explanation as to the genetic differences which present themselves in this observation, and would add several other personality types to boot!

As I entered full time employment I encountered many colleagues who took an instant dislike to me because I want to get the job done; it seems that I am in a minority when it comes to this way of working, few are the kindred spirits in my employment circle who share this wiring code that exists within my cranium. I can think of only one job that I had on a temporary contract where we all shared this mindset. The supervisor had said that if we completed the packaging of 50 pallets we could go home; this was a night shift job so we got to work and were in our cars by 12:30 am.  For the duration of the contract that is how we operated, being paid a full night for three hours work; that was a perfect scenario for me.

For a period of time last year this feature was disabled; it was like turning the passenger airbag off because it wasn’t required. I didn’t have the key to it!

I went from full throttle through slowdown,  meltdown to total shutdown.

What this has taught me as I slowly resurfaced was that it is possibly to rewire your brain. So many of us will say things like, “It’s just who I am” and we are correct; however, that can be altered. A prolonged period without that ability disabled has shown me how to be much more paced in my attitude towards things, particularly in a work environment.

Last week I had a huge list of things that I wanted to accomplish, I needed Mr expeditious and I was glad that he is still in there when required. I take great encouragement from the fact that we are not stuck with what is; the possibility and capacity of the human being to change is enormous if we are willing.