I am someone who does shift work, I have my permanent shift and then try to pick up shifts when ever I can. Today, as I got to work, I looked at the roster and didn't see my name there. I had thought I had picked up the shift today, but obviously, as seen on the roster, I didn't.
What's the first thing that comes to my head..... DAY OFF!!!!
I had worked Monday and Tuesday already, and know I will be working Thursday, Friday and Saturday. "Great, this will give me the chance to recover and relax, and get myself ready for the next few days of work. And I do feel rather tired and could do with the rest".
But it was then discovered by my fellow colleagues that someone had called in sick and wasn't replaced, and I was advised to take the shift as it would help a lone staff member on this particular area. I accepted.
Let's switch it around now, you got away with it, you got the day off. You go home, change into your pj's and get back into bed, wake up at around 11ish, have some early lunch, go on Facebook / watch YouTube videos / watch a DVD, play games. Then you feel guilty or bored doing nothing, so you may go for a walk, hit the gym / exercise, clean the house etc,.
Now, many of us would do this, and I know I definitely had done this in the past. I would see the day at work as annoying, keep thinking how great my day would have been at home, and just be irritated by many things at work, and continuously be in a lethargic or grumpy mood.
Here's my question to you: how positively productive were you today? How productive were you to moving forward with your life today?
Would you give that little bit of effort to take up that shift at work, earn a few more dollars for yourself, possibly gain some respect and gratitude from you managers and colleagues showing reliability.
Or would you stay at home, by yourself, having a good, relaxing time, doing whatever you want to do and not have a care in the world?
It's your decision, your free will to do what you want. But remember, once this day has gone, you won't be able to get it back.