Perseverance does pay off

Hey guys,

It's been a while. Would've been better if I had announced this earlier, but my EXAMS ARE OVER!! And so is my work-through-the-roof-crazy semester. Not much excitement there cause it's been a week of hard play since and euphoria's sort of died down already.

ANYHOO, a couple of really wonderful things happened the past month few weeks that I really need to give thanks to God for. It all started when I was working my butt off taking extra shifts during my final few weeks of uni because I knew I was going to take the longest "break" for exams I have (or anyone else for that matter) ever had.

So that was my way of making up for lost time, 7 weeks of no income =(. Besides that, I felt really bad cause I felt like I was ditching the store even though they needed people the most during the exam period. So I did all I could by taking up more shifts than I ever have since I started to make up for my next 2 months of absence.

This last shift before my break for exams + summer (around that time of every year) is always quite unsettling for me. I love working at McDonalds. But I never know if I'm going to get shifts when I come back after the summer. Just cause I'll be a year older (and getting waaay too expensive).

Things weren't different during my last shift in October this year. What's worse is my peers at work and I feel the same way. So that means we're never sure if we're ever going to work together again when we all come back from overseas which is sad.

So after what I thought would be my last shift of the year, I walked home with one of my colleague and best friends at work, Otto. (Something we and other friends from work always look forward to doing after a long shift). And we had a long talk. Both of us were a few of the oldest crews at Freshwater McDonalds that is still around and part of the "older crew" gang.

And we were basically just expressing our thoughts about being there for almost three years, what it's meant to us and how we felt. And it's been such a great run for both of us, honestly. However, we'd be lying if we said that there weren't certain things that have been bugging us deep, deep down for quite a while.

For me, it was the fact that for some stupid reason, I kinda wanted and was wondering why after SO long, I haven't gotten "Crew Member of the Month" yet. It's such a stupid thing to want but my pants would be on fire if I said I didn't secretly hope to get it one day. Even though I knew that the chances of it were close to none because "my time has passed". Let me explain why.

For the longest time, I have actually come to terms with not receiving or expect this award at all. Totally irrelevant to me, until earlier this year. But as I was talking to my friend, I realised that the fact of the matter is that I did want it.

Only because next year would be my final year of working at McDonalds (before graduating and getting a job as an Engineer) which is extremely bittersweet to me. And it would SUCK if I left after investing so much of my life and heart into the place and not have anything to show for it. I've been there since my second week or arriving in Melbourne and work has been a BIG part of me forming my identity in Melbourne because it was there from the very start.

So earlier this year, I decided that I would "up my game" at work. With a silent and lingering hope that my efforts would one day be recognised even though I highly doubted it. Though some people may see it as just a "part time job", I've been brought up with really strong work ethics and took it seriously IN SPITE of that.

I just see it as another avenue for me to train and display my professionalism at work. And it did not matter if it was at McDonalds or a big Engineering firm. So that involved never being a single minute late for work and doing anything and everything fast and clean so I finish at the time I'm supposed to.

So in my first year, I actually only worked a maximum of one night a week, doing the back close. And I really didn't like it. The amount of work I had to get done for the pay I was getting was ridiculous. That's why for a WHOLE year, I have NEVER said Yes to a phone call from work asking if I could come in (even though they really needed people). Never.

But in my second year, things started to turn around. I was starting to get good and have fun at what I do. Plus, the increase in pay was an incentive too. On top of that, I started getting rostered to do work at the front (with WAAAAAY less work) mid last year and have barely gotten back shifts anymore. Even if I did, I really didn't mind cause sometimes I really did miss making burgers at the back compared to dealing with customers at the front.

So, yeah. Actually started to really enjoy working. Instead of dreading each week, I seriously looked forward to it. And have almost jumped at every chance I get to work when I get an unexpected phone call to see if I could come in. In fact, my walk or journey to work is always filled with so much glee and excitement. Love it. That's why I started working twice a week instead of once.

Then in my third year (this year), pay got increased even more which was good because I was paying for a LOT of things out of my own pocket. And I'm very very glad that I did not have to turn to my parents for money (except for my international school fees understandably) for the past two years. They have sacrificed too much, I can't ask for more. In fact, I believe I am old enough to actually start giving back instead of taking.

Thus, increased my shift to about 2 - 3 times a week. Which was HUGE (but all the while enjoying every minute of it) because of the fact that I just stepped up as President at EWB and uni work load was off the charts. But still managed, thanks to the support from my good circle of friends.

Up until the final few weeks of uni (which was also the PEAK of my uni assignments), I was also taking 4 - 5 shifts a week. A HUGE change from when I first started out with my mentality towards my one dreaded shift per week. But everything worked out in the end, I had fun so no regrets at all =).

So besides the fact that I really wanted to save more money, the reason I was working more was because I wanted to (as I said earlier), to show my managers at work that I was a good employee by working hard and balancing fun with them and my colleagues at the same time =)

However, it's sad to say that the selection of "Crew Member of the Month" ever since I started has always been somwhat biased. They had their reasons because they wanted to award more high school students with this to get them happy, excited and appreciated to get them to stay because a LOT of them have been quitting which made it hard and the store needed to give people some incentives.

Which is fine. I get it. It's good to let them know that they're doing well too. Not to say that each person who gets it didn't work well. They did. But if they were in the same plane field in terms of performance as other "older crews" like me. They are more likely to get it. Just to get them to stay. And also because the "older crews" like me are most likely to have gotten it when they started out anyway. Which I did not. I was terrible in my first year.

This is why it's especially important to prioritise this award to the "newer crews". Because everyone (including myself) knows that working there is really tough at first. So if you've done a good job at the start, you really deserved this award. Which I did not. I was slow and unhappy in my first year of work. And this "grace period" was over just as I started to pick up my slack and enjoyed work in my second year =(

Another thing is that the past few years, we've had quite a high turnover of Store Managers too. Which is the "Head" of the entire store, above all the other managers. This person was mainly responsible for picking who gets this. And to my luck, store managers rarely do closing shifts (which is almost all I get) because they manage all operations in the store during most parts of the day.

Which is "great". Working hard but the person I'm trying to impress not there to see it. There goes my chances. However, there WAS a last resort but I'd rather be caught dead than to be doing it myself. And that is to "suck up" to the store managers. Something that I've seen a lot of my friends at work doing to get ahead.

They do this through a lot of ways like asking managers to go out partying with them, or cooking noodles (instead of working) for them during shifts. All of which just to become "buddy buddy" with the managers. Gosh.

That's fine, people do things a certain way. Not to say I don't get along well with my managers, I do. But not with such motive but as genuinely dear friends. Sickens me to be honest. I will stick to my principle of doing good hard work. Hasn't served me well in the past, but I still choose to stick to it. If I leave McDonalds one day without getting a recognition, I'd be happy to still have my integrity at the very least.

Things started to take a turn when a few months ago, a new Store Manager got transferred to our store. She's so different. Strict to the core, almost never smiles to anyone (except customers). What I sort of fear but extremely respected about her. She does things to PERFECTION, which makes me want to do the same and improve so much more.

But yeah, she can be really really scary if you rub her the wrong way by doing something that you shouldn't be doing at work. And I feel SO sorry for my friends who have had to face the full force of her WRATH as a consequence of their actions.

Up till today, I'm just thankful (which is truly by the grace of God) that I'm actually one of the very few employees at work that she would smile and talk nicely to at work. And I also really really appreciate the positive feedbacks accompanied with the smile that I've gotten (which is quite rare from her) cause I think she saw that I really tried.

The thing is, I know I've gotten praises and am in her good books. Other managers whom I've worked with always know that when they have me in their shift, I will give my 100% and am someone they can always count on too. Also when I had one shift at Crown one night, the Store Manager there was really happy with my performance that she tried to persuade me several times to transfer there.

And the ONLY reason I am confident enough to accept or retell these praises is because ever since I tried to improve how I work last year, I know exactly what is required and how far I've come to know what makes a good crew member. Ask me this two years ago when I first started, and I would agree that I'm the last person who deserves it. But a lot has changed. A LOT.

HOWEVER, all these "verbal accomplishments" did not change anything cause of the fact that I'm no longer new and am not willing to compromise my values to get what I want. All of this still really bugged me cause each month I still see the awards going to the "new kids" or people who I know for a FACT that are not as good as me at work. Simply because they either get rostered with the right managers more often or kiss their ass. So frustrating to continue to go unrecognised.

It came to a point that after weeks of prayer but this unsettlement in my heart, God spoke to me one night. I believe He was challenging me to have the courage to SPEAK UP to my Manager. This really freaked me out. I believe God has always made me to be a more confrontational person. But not in this way. This is waaaaay too awkward, embarrassing and shameful of a topic to bring up.

But God really challenged me. Besides that, my siblings and I have always been brought up with the saying, "If you want get something done, don't sit back and do it yourself!". It's always, "Get up! Make a phone call. Send that email. Follow up. Get it done and done well."

These saying has always been the driving factor for the 3 of us to be extremely capable, responsible and independent individuals. No mucking around and immaturity when it comes to getting things done. These words also shaped so much of my character today professionally and have gone a LONG way for me in terms of work and running EWB at Melb Uni. That's why out of every one I know, my Mum is the MOST capable person I have ever met and I cannot tell you how much I respect her professionally.

So following my mother's advice from young, I mustered the courage and was prepared (albeit still crazy nervous) to speak to my Store Manager the next time I worked with her. Not to express exasperation and ask her to look at me or "how come I haven't gotten Crew Member of the Month yet and all these other guys have?". Nonononononono...

I wanted to make my intentions crystal clear. If I did talk to her, I genuinely wanted to ask her if she could give me feedback on my performance and if there were any areas that I could improve on. Cause if she told me, I wanted to let her know that I wanted to dedicate the next few months to do everything I can to improve as much as possible. Fair, right?

So I said my goodbye to my dear friend that night with all these convictions and clarity to dare to speak up. If I even do get a chance, that is. Until one day about a month after I've stopped work. I got a text from this very friend again. Congratulating me for getting "Crew Member of the Month".

OMGGGGGG. I was in shock. I seriously didn't believe it. All the odds were stacked up against me before but after all that prayer, could it be true? Really? I didn't actually have to ask my Store Manager about this? OMGGGGGG that's the biggest relief I've had in a long long while. Seriously. That's one less awkward conversation for me to have =D

I was still in disbelief so that night, I rushed as soon as I could to the store to see if it were true. And in fact, it was. Oh my gosh. I immediately felt the downpour of God's grace upon my life right there and then next to the wash up room of Freshwater McDonalds lol. What's even better is that another friend (whom I think is EVERY BIT deserving) just got awarded Crew Member of the QUARTER for the first time too!

YIPPEEEEEEE...!!! Apparently hard work DOES still pay off in this world, and so unexpectedly!! I was so ecstatic for him and myself =)

To conclude, God's grace was shown in the form of this Store Manager. One that actually works enough during closing shifts lol. Though a lot of people did not warmly welcome her because for the first time they actually needed to go by the books, she was there to help us improve. And God's blessings come in disguises or ways we would never expect.

And this whole thing was such a long journey of faith. And the lesson that I hope to continue to be reminded of is that Perseverence does Pay Off. And you don't have to compromise ANYTHING even if things get tough and you don't believe in yourself or the situation anymore. Have faith.

A very dear lesson was learned after two long years of steadfastness. And I'm overjoyed. Cause this just gave me more motivation to keep doing what I'm doing when I start working again next week.

And that even if I do leave this place which has played such a big part of my life one day, I have something to show and be proud of. That's all I could ever ask for. And I hope to bring with me all these morals and values that I've learned into the next phase of my career in the future.

God is Good. All the time. Know it, even if you don't believe it, son.

Much Love,

Winston.

=) =) =)