Boredworkers.com

Lets compare work to a game of cards and individuals to the cards within a deck. We are all represented by a single card. Be it the Ace, a king, all the miserable cards in between, or even a Joker. Different cards have different values in different games. They can’t change their face value, but the underlying rules of the game being played as well as circumstances will change their worth. Understand the game and the battle is half won.

Maybe we’re the wild card, the Joker. In most games, they are absolutely worthless. They are cards that are usually discarded before a game has even begun. “Throw away the Jokers, we’re playing blackjack tonight” (or poker, or baccarat, or go fish, or three card stud, or a host of other games for that matter). But imagine if it was ginrummy being played. Wouldn’t it be something to be the wild card? Everyone would be clammering after it, because suddenly, just because the rules of the game has changed, the Joker has become the most valuable card in the deck! A lesson learned: play the right game. Recognise work for what it is and choose something that will bring out the value in you.

What about the Ace? Its the best card in the deck, or so the phrase “Ace in a hole” might suggest; the secret weapon, the all powerful. Wouldn’t it be something to be recognised as an Ace? In blackjack, everyone wants an Ace because it gives them the opportunity to throw down their cards and yell “BLACKJACK!” or “DOUBLE ACES!”. But what if the game was changed? What if we were playing three card stud? Two tens and an Ace would be useless. Circumstances change, and with those circumstances, so too does the value of a hand change. Can we adapt to change?

We might think that a ten, Jack, Queen, or King are versatile cards. They are useful in any game. Yes they are and you should remember that. Many people are versatile, adaptable. But that also means that they are replaceable. The market is full of individuals who know a little bit of everything, are adaptable to most situations, hold value in any game; a veritable Jack of all trades. But being the master of none may come back to bite you in the long run.

You might be thinking, “Great, we’ve talked about all the ‘good’ cards in a deck. What about the miserable cards in between?” Lets get to it then. How about cards from two’s to nine’s? Remember that very few games are ever played with a single card. Most games are about card combinations. Work is usually about Teamwork. Wouldn’t it be nice to be dealt an Ace and a four (yuck!) in blackjack? But throw in a seven and you’ll have a good hand. The people around you, whom you work and interact with play an integral role in life. Without the supporting cast, there really isn’t a game to be played.

There are many games, different circumstances, volatile environments, and numerous combinations to be considered when playing cards. First figure out which card you are. Once you know that, you can better select the game that best suits your strengths.