I will not play the game. Is that so bad?
By: Timothy Tart
For many years, I have struggled to find a career that would best suit me and the lifestyle I wanted for myself and the one I choose to partner. I did not know many things growing up since I was programmed into a denomination that literally stripped an individual of their humanity and created an imbalance.
I wanted to be an architect. I remember telling my mother this goal but never really getting any encouragement to pursue this desire. I wanted to make lots of money to take care of my mother before she died in April 2004. I remember having a big brother, and could not understand why his wife always tagged along, and because I didn't understand this particular concept, I destroyed that relationship. The funny thing was it was the best connection I could have had today, but because I was so "churched" I allowed my foolishness and ignorance of life blind me to proper connections.
The big brother I had wanted to literally make me a millionaire, and I was so engulfed in church or religion. Going through high school, desiring to be in sports, but we could NEVER afford it, and my mother from what my uncles were telling me. was very protective of me and would not allow me to play anything outside of the drums at church. Why?
I have had over 50+ jobs and only a few of them possessed the ability to capture my attention, interest, and salary expectations. Why didn't I have better mentors? Why didn't I have access to better leaders? My friend, Cortez told me years ago, a young man like myself needs a skill, trade, certification/license, degree, and profession. The reason is when and if one does not work the others will come to supplement income. Another friend instructed me to use the loan money from school to invest, but I did not listen when I could have researched it.
Finally, getting a job with companies like Ryder Transportation, seeing how people became leaders or managers within a company of such magnitude. Only to be revealed that any monkey can be a manager within this company, it's only who you know and what you are willing to do to attain a position. I have never been so disgusted with a company in my life. My experience may not be another's experience, but I have learned that I am not willing to debase myself to a salary. I am not willing to kiss, suck, lick, or do anything outside of my qualifications and job functions to attain, maintain, and promote into any role.
I am NOT willing to PLAY THE GAME! I thought going to school was enough. I thought getting degrees was enough. I thought getting some certifications and licenses would sustain my role. I thought to come to work on time, going to lunch on time, coming back from lunch on time, same with breaks, and going home, or staying late to finish duties and responsibilities would be enough. NOT AT ALL! When did going out to dinner with the boss become a requirement? I understand it's a great to get to know the team, but I thought to do your work was a great way to meet the team.
At Ryder, I have never had so many battles to complete required tasks in my life. I thought personally, it was a race factor until I worked part-time at Burlington's in Arlington, TX. I was completely floored at the inter-racial division by two black "leaders", at one point, I respected. Finally, seeing how corrupt a company can be when the care or respect for people was less important to generating money. Again, coming to work, doing your job is NOT enough! You must kiss up! You must be in "their" good graces. You must be willing to sacrifice your character for their comfort-ability. You must allow your self-respect to be compromised to maintain your role.
I was told...
- Go to school
- Graduated
- Get your degrees
- Get an awesome job
- Get your own place
- Get your own cars
- Get your own stuff
- Get married
- Have kids
- Raise Kids and so on...
What if I don't want to do that? What if I am not interested in kids? What if I want to save money and live with my parents or friends? Why was I not informed about certain fields needing people? Why was I not informed earlier to gain several skills? Why was I locked in church all the time missing out on life? Why was I not informed about "this hidden game" I must play?
Who made this game? Who said, those who don't play, will suffer destitution? What is the purpose of this game?
Have you thought about switching your career path? Have you thought about doing something different?
I thought about becoming a dancer or a stripper! I thought about becoming a young lawyer. I thought about doing things that would make me instant money or bring me finances without much effort. I thought about doing some other things that would secure me financially, maybe not like these young men, but would bring me instant safety found in finances. Have you thought about this in your times of process? Have you considered changing your life to appear or gain access to finances, popularity, or possible fame?
I am definitely NOT taking away from people and their methods of income. I just wondered would I have access to the level of funds other have in their lives. Can I be the face of a movement? Can I live in their footprints? Can I post my pictures on Instagram? Facebook? Snapchat? Can I choose love over finances? Can I omit my principles for money? I am not assuming anyone in these photos have compromised anything to gain their happiness or security. Have you looked at another's life and coveted their lifestyle?
They look happy! They have all the attention. My boss has money. My supervisor has security. Their role will never be replaced. It's okay, there are not going anywhere because they make money for the company. It's okay! They will not get fired for sexual harassment because they make the company money. Those people will not get in trouble with the law for blatant racism and sexism, he or she is the president's best friend. They produce numbers for the company. These young men in the picture will never have to worry about what I am concerned with on a daily basis. Is that true? Are you the one that never makes those assumptions? You never think to yourself how to change something in your life? Is that so?
My questions have always been: am I willing to play the game? Am I willing to change my entire focus to attain something that can instantly disappear?
According to Psychology today, Among CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, 58 percent stand six feet or taller — while within the U.S. population of men as a whole, that figure is a mere 14.5 percent. A study by researchers at the University of Florida, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Pittsburgh found tall people earned considerably more throughout their careers than shorter workers. WOW! Just because you are taller, this guarantees your career to possess longevity. Interesting. [Source: https:///www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wired-success/201704/how-much-easier-is-life-good-looking-people]
I thought it would have been education, experience, talent, skill, wisdom, and character. I was not aware that your looks played a huge part in your career. I guess it would be the same if you are a porn star, stripper, or a model. You must possess something that would bring people to you as a product or attract the consumer to a product.
The game...is it looks? is it talent? is it education? is it skills? is it experience? What's the game? Do you lie? If caught, what happens? Where do you invest your energy? How would someone know this information prior to engaging in life? If I were a certified, qualified, professional physician, then would that be enough? Or should I strip on the side? If I were a Certified Public Accountant, then would that be enough to maintain social, financial, and personal security, or should I play an instrument? Even if I was an amazing employee with mounds of education and experience, then would that be enough to sustain my role with a company or organization?
Do I need to look like her? Do I need to change my appearance to gain job security? Did I not perform the tasks and them some additional duties? Are all companies' policies reflective of this type of behavior? Do I want to change myself to maintain "this" job?
What did I do wrong? Have you asked yourself that question after getting fired? terminated? "let go"? "laid off"? Have you EVER wondered how you were the highest performer and still was terminated? Have you wondered why all the good looking people were working a certain shift, department, or location and you were not chosen for that role, even though, you vastly exceeded their expectations for the role? OR you were already doing the role without the compensation or title?
Believe it or not, one of the companies, I mentioned in this article, refused to hire a manager for a particular shift because of her weight. She was very obese, and they would not place her in a certain role and shift because her obesity disgusted the clients who would visit the facility. Interesting, huh?! You mean I must look like the following pictures to be considered for a higher role in the company. I believe these individuals to get the breaks in life, and I am sure some would disagree, but look again. Even this individual would be considered for a higher role. I do not believe it is confined to one race or gender. It's about the look.
This is my advice:
- Pick a profession[s] that cannot replace you and your skill set. Get at least three degrees
- Learn several languages [At least 2 or 3]
- Attain several licenses and certifications
- Choose ONE or TWO of the following fields for role security: Legal, Medicine, Finance/Accounting, Technology, or Engineering
- Learn other skill sets: Cosmetology, Music [Play several instruments]
- WORK OUT! Get into the gym. Have a marketable look! Make you are presentable at all times.
- Once you are in a position of security for yourself, teach someone else how to maintain and survive.