Well, I know where I was in the writing of this book and what I was doing that day!  I thought hard about whether to keep this in the book or not and am kind of up in the air about it.  Being without income (or at this point occasional,)  it sometimes has to suffice being in a lowly position on a job with people half your age but in higher positions exercising their power and authority over you.

I had to include this here because it is kind of funny.  We all have bad hair days and for a rock-bottom employee (who does nonetheless very important work) can run into problems...even when Nature calls...

HERE BEGINS THE TEXT 

September 16th, 2009 was an awful day in the food court where I was working at the time. On top of a burning desire to walk off that job and never return, having knowledge of what I'm about to embark on here, I had gotten several reprimands for some really silly things. I found a news magazine on one of the tables and something on its cover caught my eye. I took the magazine to a table in the corner and opened to the article.

Strike one!

No sooner had I opened to the page when one of several of my supervisors came around the corner and caught with the opened magazine. In front of several students sitting nearby at the tables I was ordered to put the magazine away, that if I didn't have anything to do, he would gladly have me washing walls.

Not long after having gotten over the reprimand, I was taking initiative to move a table and seats out of an isle through which I moved my trash cart. Moving through the food court and getting close to the trash receptacles enabled me to make my rounds in this large dining area and make my work easier and more efficient.

Strike two!

To my demise, here comes one of my other supervisors - a tiny but plump outspoken woman who seemed to have nothing better to do than to put pawns back in their place to stay focused on what they are supposed to be doing - and what they are not doing. By her quick gait, long before she reached where I was at, I had this sick feeling that I was about to get pounced... Part of the reprimand was to put these back where they were and not to go through there with the trash cart. I was to continue walking across the floor, around the patrons and carry the bags back to the my trash cart in the main isle. What if they have liquid in them and leak?  "You get wet floor signs, you put them out and then you fetch the mop bucket. Understood?"

The icing on that day's cake came when I had to go to the restroom. The employee restroom was busy so I went to the one on the third floor.

Strike three! Yes, by this time, I wanted OUT!

When I returned to the floor, to my dismay, the same supervisor who made me put up the magazine, (bless his heart) was standing there, having seen me approaching. Something told me I was in for it...again..."Where have you been? I've been looking all over the place for you for 20 minutes!" Who was I to argue that I had not been off the floor that long. "Yes you were!" He looked at his watch. "You are to come find one of us first and let us know you're going to the restroom. We need to know where you are at all times! ...Furthermore, you are not to use any of the other restrooms [but the one designated for the employees.] Do you understand?" So here I am - a 50-year old man who is not to take initiative, even to use the restroom when and where I want (or need) to without proper authorization!"

A thought passed in my mind. "Just another day in paradise!" I intercepted that thought! "No, this is NOT just another day and this isn't paradise!"

Many of us have bosses like this over us. This book will cover important implications like this that come with many of the "no-glory" jobs that we find ourselves in. Do you hate your job? Would you like to fire your boss? Do you find yourself saying, "is this all there is?" ...and know it isn't? Some of you are saying, "There's got to be another way!"

Well, there is. This book will help guide you and it serves to give you the motivation to get up and start your quest. Further instructions will help you move through your quest to replace that boring job with an occupation that not only pays out excellent rewards, but certainly put satisfaction and fulfillment in your life! 

FINIS

Since I wrote the above, I've learned much more about how people are wired.  Higher positions can make some people take the power that comes with it and let it go to their heads.  Others are more of the skeptical kind of folks and it isn't so much the position as it is their personality type...making it extremely difficult for those who work for that person to be counted above anything more than a machine.

There are tools for anyone with a mind which can be used to help them get more of what they want from others...even from difficult people.  At the time I wrote the above, these tools were relatively unknown to me.

They are the Art of Influence (not so much persuasion but these tools do have their place) and NLP (Neuro-ligusitic Programming.)  These tools deserve mention in my book later in the fourth section.  As yet, they are not there but are the missing components to my book today.  Who can use these tools?

• Salespeople
• Employers
• Employees (yes, that's right)
• Entrepreneurs
• Lawyers
• Parents

You get the drift...

Any small amount of the kind of knowledge I have today on this topic would have gone a long way in avoiding the above scenario at a workplace like the above.  This knowledge is empowering if mastered.  It is not devious in any way.  Not only can you use it to help get what you want, you can know when it is being used on you.  Most people do not consciously know these things (but by nature do some of them)  It helps you know more about the person you are speaking with.  Is the person lying to you?  Is the person interested in what you are saying...or is looking for the next available chance to head for the hills?  Great stuff!  Works in practically any situation...even when dealing with difficult folks...when mastered.  Over all, it makes you better at communicating.

Are they dangerous?  Yes.  They can be...if in the wrong hands.  Those such as Vlad and Hitler come to mind.  However, it must be remembered that these are to be regarded to be what they are and no more or less...tools.  A power saw in skillful hands can work wonders...but put the same saw in the hands of a clumsy person and you get a botched job with, perhaps, severe personal injury!