Problem with the society today is we don’t respect authorities anymore – police officers, traffic enforcers, and even the security guards.

The job of security guards can be said as “thankless” yet their responsibilities are serious, and they are among the underpaid ones.  They are often taken for granted until only something significant happens. Especially in the Philippines, security guards at the malls and at the metro rail stations are known mainly for searching our bags for some ‘unidentified’ objects.  But we are forgetting, in times of emergencies, they are one of the firsts to respond. Guards also have the power to arrest suspects, detain them until the police come.

But they get no respect.

One of my favorite Filipino authors of recent, Alex Lacson, said in his book 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country, “Respect your traffic officer, policeman, soldier, and other public servants.”

Respect is a mark of most profound education. Respect is intellectual. Respect is more than just being kind to the person. Respect gives a positive feeling of regard.  It empowers and makes the recipient proud. It gives honor to them and to the work they do.

If you are educated, you don’t just berate security officers, regardless of who started the fire.

One Guarded Moment

While I meant respect, I’m also aware that some of them commits a mistake and at times doing their jobs wrong – just like any of us as well.

Back in high school, I was accused of shoplifting by a security guard – and he humiliated me publicly at the center of SM Southmall.

I went to National Bookstore to look for a songbook. I was carrying my guitar. I tried to leave it at the baggage deposit counter but the attendant asked me to just take it with me inside the store because it’s too bulky for the baggage racks.

I spent some time looking for the right songbook but I found none. I decided to leave National Bookstore and look somewhere else. As I walked past about 2 minutes, a security guard of National Bookstore approached me, asking me where I hid and kept the songbook I “stole” from the store.

What a freak! And he’s speaking in a high voice. He grabbed my guitar, looked into the hole, and shook it because he suspected that I put the songbook inside. People are looking at us. Imagine the humiliation? The mall security guard inspecting your guitar and your pockets in the middle of the crowd…

Foul! I said why the hell he suspected me, and he religiously followed me until I reach Storyland. Apparently, he was keenly watching me from the time I entered National Bookstore until I left. Of all people, suspecting me? National B.S.

He asked me to go back to National Bookstore to discuss his accusation further with the management. He kept on shaking my guitar and my waist for a suspected stolen songbook. Before we reach, he was convinced that no songbook was stolen. He just left and let me go.

I was upset. I did no Amalayer. I was just an innocent 15 at that time.

I told my parents about it (who’s also at the mall). We checked on the guard at National Bookstore and call the management. My dad confronted them civilly, saying what the guard did was totally wrong and unacceptable at all. All the management and the guard said… Amasorry.

This and other minor incidents with security guards contribute to how I regard them.  But just like us, they also commit mistakes. But that doesn’t mean we have to be rude at them too. What’s the point? As writer Eric Hoffer said, “rudeness is the weak man’s imitation of strength.”

And I say, no rude man lessens stupidity, no matter how wrong or right he is.

Saw this graphic virally spreading on Facebook. Couldn’t agree more.

It’s always been one of my principles to go to work on time and leave on time; or at least work efficiently within the schedule.  Staying at office desks beyond 8 or 8.5 hours doesn’t always mean that we are hard working. Maybe, we can’t efficiently utilize the working hours to do all the day’s work.  Beating deadlines though is another story – but we won’t need to cram til the last minutes if we have a smarter working scheme to be productive at work.

A smart worker is the one who’s able to deliver what is expected of him within the schedule – and be able to leave on time. A smart worker is output-oriented actually.  A smart worker realizes the 7 things listed in the graphic above, reaping its rewards.

But never ever compromise. Don’t disregard your work. Embrace it, value it, respect it. Leave on time if, and only if you can really cross-out items in your to-do list in a day.

Employers Must Realize…
The former CEO of Coca-cola, Bryan Dyson also said, “Work efficiently during office hours and leave on time. Give the required time to your family, friends and have proper rest.“

This is what I want every employer to look at. They should encourage employees to observe the working time frame efficiently, and discourage working on extended hours. Employers need to feel that their staff are humans – they have family and friends and life outside of work too. Employers must take these 2 things into consideration:

1. If employees develop conflicts within their relationships because of working time issues, they’d be disturbed at work. 
2. Severe working on extended hours might cause some minor to major health disorders to some. If employees feel bad, they lose proper concentration. they’ll need medical attention and they’ll probably skip some days of work.

We work, we do good at work because we are inspired by our loved ones. Let’s just give them the due time and attention they deserve from us. Get a life.

Read back the 7 meaningful items listed above. They’re a win-win for both your work and your life outside work.

A report says “Most of us find the start of the week so demoralising that we can’t even bear to crack a smile until 11.16am.“

11:16am? Whether you love your job or not, this first weekday struggle happens to most of us. Weekend feels absolutely too short. We can’t just let go of being in a relaxed mode with our family, or friends.  It’s really normal to feel sad and lazy to go back to work routine.

But, would you rather keep this trend than start the week right and and set a good mood for the entire work week?

Let me share how I combat that feeling. Here are other tips. Easier said than done, I know. It’s really challenging, but hey, it’s just a matter of mindset. Talk and listen to yourself.  Try these, nothing to lose anyway:

1. Enjoy the whole of weekend. Do not make it a habit to feel bad when Saturday evening sets in, thinking it’s gonna be work week again the next day.  The more you think about it, the worse it becomes.  Maximize the remaining hours of the weekend with your loved ones.
2. Give yourself ample time in the morning. Set your alarm about 1 hour (and snooze) before you actually want to wake up. Give yourself an hour or more allowance before you leave. Start early.  Have a hearty breakfast.  Don’t cram. Don’t stress, you’re not in the office yet.
3. Listen to Music Instead of News. I know some of us would rather listen to news on the radio, waiting for traffic advisories.You would probably know that traffic is always jammed on mornings so why still care? Listen to feel good music instead – or upbeat ones if you prefer. It will help set the tone of your mind going to work.
4. Invite positive energy. Eliminate the sighs that it’s workweek again. While driving, or at least upon getting off your car, before you enter that building, look up and tell yourself, “it will be a good day, a productive week.” Smile!
5. Greet. Greet everyone a good morning. Ask them about their weekend. 
6. Bonding. Break the ice. Invite a colleague or 2 for a coffee. You will get back quickly to your ‘office mood’ after the sip.
7. Plan your week. Making a realistic week plan. This is the best time to take control of the things you need to work on to, and not the other way around.