What inspires you to work?

[volatile]

Money, of course. But that wouldn't explain why I work so hard and why I try to excel. I do that because I was taught that how I behave or how I am perceived by the outside world doesn't just reflect me. It reflects my family, friends, and whoever else had a hand in shaping me. So to not disappoint them, I bust my ass.

[draftermatt]

For the most part I like my job. I like drawing a project from scratch, running the job from start to finish, all that. In a way I like stressful situations. I seem to thrive on them.

But in all reality, its for my wife. All I want in life is for her to be happy, so I work to provide for us. (She works too, harder than me roo). But I like seeing what we have, and seeing that she doesn't have to slave, and worry about money. I hated watching her working and going to school, and never having time for anything. Now I like seeing that she only works a little, and that she's going to school.

[tollbaby]

What inspires you to work? What makes your day? What kind of managers do you love to work for? What are the things that give you the best job satisfaction?

Appreciation and respect from my boss. Seriously. That's ALL it takes. Being told once in a while that I'm doing a good job, or being thanked for completing a particularly stressful or arduous task (i.e. arranging a trip for a dozen Chinese delegates where the dates, flights and hotels have changed four times). And by respect, I mean not being condescended to simply because I'm an admin assistant. Being spoken to like a valuable member of the team. Oh.... and countdowns It's like playing a game. To me, it's easier to type up reports and such and do menial work if I have sort of a "countdown to freedom" thing going (like when I was doing data entry.... I would put my quota on a piece of paper and I would count down my hour, to see how many extra pieces I could do each hour, and try to beat my personal best, etc.)

Edited to clarify: If my boss tells me he/she is happy, then I will strive all the harder to make them even happier. If nothing I do pleases them, I get depressed and stop trying (my situation with my last direct supervisor.... I worked my ASS off for that woman, and NOTHING I did made the slightest bit of difference, she still thought I was a lazy ass.... so I gave up).

[digilight]

Allright...the sarcastic answers first.

I work....

...because daytime TV sucks
...because I'm to lazy to go down to the welfare office
...because the wife makes me

now for the serious and less smart ass reasons...

Because I've been doing this kind of work for the last 9 years and I actually enjoy it. Whether It's a litigation copy job or a large multidisc duplication run, I enjoy being able to see progress. As I progress on a job and the boxes begin to stack up for the final delivery you can really feel a since of accomplishment.

I want to set a good example for my kids and instill a strong work ethic in them.

And daycare is freaken insanely expensive, I pay more for daycare then for housing right now, and I live in southern california.

And I couldn't see myself staying home and doing nothing all day long....well theres allways sports on TV/TIVO

[Foxglove8778]

1. I was raised to have a strong work ethic.
2. I was raised to Do My Best.
3. If I can look back on what I've done and honestly say "I did my best." then I have no reason to ever be ashamed.
4. I have obligations I have to meet. Paying bills and debts for example.
5. I need the medical benefits. I have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The medication is about $1,400.00 per month.
6. I work because I still can.
7. I am pleased when my efforts are noticed, even more when praised.
8. I'm shocked if actually rewarded.
9. I love that moment when I can tell I've helped someone, made something clear for them or just given them knowledge that they can apply in a useful way.

[Seshat]

It depends on how sick I am.

If I'm at my sickest, I don't work at all. Looking after myself is the best I can accomplish.

Otherwise:

If the depression is bad, I work because it's marginally better than being bored. And it makes my family happier to see me working than to see me sitting and waiting for time to pass.

If the depression is lifted, I work because I know what I do makes the world a little bit better. And because my family is proud of what I do. And because the extra money makes life easier for my family.

[JustADude]

I've gotta go with a few things...

#1) The chance to make people's lives just that little bit better for having had an above-expectations experience. Probably why movies and the cafe are my favorite jobs.

#2) Money. Cash. Dosh. Bread. $$$. Da' Benjamins. Even this won't be enough if there's negative energy flow with the customers, but I'll put up with just about anything and smile doing it if I get paid enough.

#3) The respect and appreciation of my bosses and co-workers for being competent, professional, and doing that voodoo that I do so well.

[DesignFox]

I have multiple reasons for loving my job(s)

At the mall:
1) Every time I see someone smile...not just any smile either. That huge, glowing smile. The "you really made my day" smile. I live for that. I love when I can do that for someone.

2) I love to help people. Gettting that genuine "thank you!" feels great.

3) My managers are wonderful. It feels so good going to work, knowing that there are people who appreciate the work that I do. Especially in my dealings with the store manager. He's the best boss I've ever had. No one else has ever made me feel better about the work I've done for them, or taken the time to really train and develop me to be a better worker. I had lost A LOT of confidence at one of my former jobs because I had a horrible store manager that drained the life out of me...most of the damage is starting to come undone thanks to my current SM.

4) I LOVE the company...I have loved it since the first time I stepped in the door as a customer. I love being a worker for the company. I hope hope hope I can be a manager there soon.


As for the cell phone job...that's more of a job for me. I don't really love it...but I can do it. The things that keep me from bolting out the door each day:

1) I get along very well with my coworkers.

2) The owner is a great guy.

3) I love seeing the "lightbulb" go on when I help a customer learn how to use their phone/solve a problem for them.

4) I love the few and far between customers who are just so genuinely grateful that I've helped them resolve their problem and take the time to thank me and shake my hand.

5) I have a woman who comes in and always thanks me and tells me what a sweetheart I am- even though the first time I worked with her, I made a mistake. She didn't get upset with me- she let me correct it and assured me I still did a great job. (the problem stemmed from a bit of lack of communication- my customer even took partial responsibility since she hadn't been clear about what she wanted)

THOSE are the people I love to help and go to work for everyday! At both jobs.

[Rapscallion]

My workplace is democratic - we're all managers without any bosses. Even when I started there as a short-term contract worker, employed to do grunt work, I was listened to. I make roughly above average local wage based on a forty-hour week, but I do much more than that, so I get very decent money. There are drawbacks, but this place is more than worth the slight hassles.

Rapscallion

[DrFaroohk]

Some of it is pride - my store does well largely because of me. I take a vacation, shit goes to hell. Not all the time, and sometimes it barely noticable, but I like the fact that I make a difference there, even if its just a gas station. I'm good at it.

A lot of it is money - the job pays ok, I get benefit time, I get a lot of free shit like coffee, fountain soda, whatever food is about to expire (hey, we all know that stuff is good way after the date), it all pays off good.

The last part is just my stubborn ego. It came to my attention some time ago that someone is a suit is trying to make me quit. It may be just a rumor, but based upon some things I've seen, it may be true. Who knows? But just whenever I think about looking for another job I remember that this is my turf - i've been there 5 years, I've worked my ass off and been one of the major contributors to improvements we've made. This is my world, baby, and you're not going to force me out.

[upsidedown_orchid]

I work at my job because I really enjoy it. I've been with the company my whole adult life (all six years of it). I have made really good friends, I have always been supported and respected by my bosses, cowokers and employees.

I have been given oportunities to prove myself as well as to improve myself. The management cares about giving everyone life skills as well as work skills. I am listened too. I am needed.
I love mentoring my younger employees and passing on some of the work and life skills my old bosses have given me.

I love the customers and I truly believe that our company offers a tremendous entertainment experience at a great value.

I have been given lots of promotions, bonuses and raises for doing what I do.

I love the standing near the door saying good night to all our patrons after they've seen a really great show on the stage- they are happy. Some of them are beaming. Wowing people and surpassing their expectations makes me happy.

If I stay with the company, more money and opportunity will be comming my way.
The two Ops managers above me quit last week. That means I can go for one of those positions if I want it. And I want it.

Oh... and I like money.

[Arcade Man D]

I look forward to each day because it's a learning experience. Mainly due to being thrown into my current supervisory capacity on absolutely no notice. It's so much fun when your ASM quits with 0 notice ^_^.

I also enjoy working on the machines. Heck, even pushing them is fine with me now, despite my normal dislike of physical labor. I guess I've found my "thing" at the arcade. Shame I don't make more money. Or get insurance yet. Oh well, that'll come eventually.

[Ree]

The necessity to keep food on the table and a roof over my head.

[BusyBee]

Mostly:
I genuinely love helping people. It makes me happy to be able to help someone and get them what they're after.

Partly:
To keep myself busy and my mind occupied. It's better to be thinking about work for 8 hours, rather than trying to occupy my time and inevitably ending up having my mind dwell on bad topics and making myself more depressed.
For the money. I still live with my parents so I'm not too concerned with bills and such at present, but I feel a lot better when I can buy my own ice cream and such... And I'm saving up to go overseas as well.
To get myself out of the house.
To socialise, instead of sitting at home all day, alone for most of the time.
To help my self esteem repair. For each customer I help find something, for each customer I ring up at the register on my own, its more proof that I am capable of doing things, and further dimishes my feeling that I'm useless.

Plus my Dad can't nag me about finding a job anymore

[Andara Bledin]

What inspires me?

I like helping people.

Actually, I like being helpful so much that I can be a bit obnoxious about offering to do so, but that's really the basic reason.

And when the people I'm doing things for show me, in whatever manner, that they appreciate it, that just makes me want to help more.

Plus, I like making things work. I like to search out information.

^-.-^