On Worry, Motivation and Support

"Contrariwise, 

If it was so, it might be,

And if it were so, it could be; 

But as it isn't, it ain't, 

That's logic."

- Lewis Caroll

I was fretting for a week now for an IT convention that I ought to attend but cannot. I should be there to receive the recognition for having been active in the promotion of ICT education in the grassroots. I should be there since the registration is already sponsored by the organization. But I still couldn't. The reasons? No full support from my office, and not enough budget to shoulder it on personal expense. It would be too expensive to charge it on my personal account. I couldn't spare a cent or two from my own pocket for the travel expenses and a convention that is job-related. Not this time. Not now. You see, I am still battling with how to make ends met just to pay my monthly lot amortization.  I need to invest for the future too.

So what's my point? 

Just want to emphasize two things: First on how I accepted the inevitable and end worry, and second on the importance of motivation and support in the workplace.

Worrying over what should be is normal. For one week I worried on how to procure money just to attend the event. The problem is, I already confirmed without even weighing the consequences. There are a lot of complications. I couldn't travel at the office's expense since I do not have the travel authority from the higher ups. The fact that the event will be conducted outside the region, my direct boss don't have any authority to give me the GO signal. Thus, my going would mean personal business even though it is job-related. I need to use my savings for the travel, lodging and food expenses and my allowance, That would also mean, being absent from the office for three days which would mean salary deduction. I would surely suffer from overdraft in my budget in the next paycheck. It isn't practical, I know. 

Ending the worry means cancelling my participation through email. That's not difficult. So I did it just this morning. No sweat! Why cry of the morrow when I am not sure what the morrow comes?

What's crucial is the office motivation and support issue ... things that my present job do not have ... things that are not under my control. There seemed to be no chance for improvement here. I just realized that after almost four years of career stagnation. No promotion and recognition for a job well done. Not even a pat in the shoulder. I was a fool to ever think I can go a distance. It was truly a waste of time working for an employer whose only concern is their own good and own pocket. Never again will I ever expect for better days here. So I decided to jump once again to a better pond in a greener pasture. Given a chance, it shall be soon. Hope it well really be soon.

I just think motivation and support should be extended to all employees, regular and contractual alike, to help promote job satisfaction and sparks the enthusiasm to perform at its best. Everybody needs that, who doesn't?

But I realized that most of the time, the only person that could give me the motivation and support I needed is still just me. Can't expect it from my colleagues, from my boss, from my HR nor from my family. They're also too busy waiting for somebody to motivate them. I am sure an average employee experiences all these once in a while.

Accepting the fact is difficult. But then again, there's no point fretting over the inevitable . Why worry when I can be happy?