Sing It, Freddie Mercury

Under Pressure.

Pressure is not unusual in my workplace. Voltage is the amount of electrical pressure present in an electrical system. The more pressure you have, the further electrons are willing to leap to get to ground. For example, the voltage in your home is 12o volts (for those of you in other countries it is most likely higher) and lacks the ability to leap. At 500,000 volts, electrons will leap about 10 feet to reach ground. Electricity under high pressure can do amazing things. It can travel great distances without losing its strength.

Unwanted pressure, however, is ... well ... unwanted. Peer pressure doesn't quit once you pick up your high school diploma. I have seen a trend towards the lowest common denominator. It is disheartening to realize that this is a trait that is not easily outgrown. Perhaps it is something that is better used to define the natural state of the human race. We all seek the path of least resistance.

At work, I have found that many would rather choose to meet only the lowest expectations of their superiors, than decide to strive for their personal best. In a union, there is often the pressure to keep yourself in the middle of the pack. Rise above, and risk a blow from the hammer of peer pressure.

You hear things like, "Try not to get too much done. You know, they'll just expect more."

I have felt the pressure from others to settle into mediocrity. I can't. It feels like a mossy stone.
At the risk of being called such things as a kiss up, I have done my best to simply do the best I can every day. I have a sneaking suspicion that I may find myself on the receiving end of some heavier bullying tactics in the near future.

I don't like to hear others complain, "You're making us all look bad."

I have only one thing to say in return. Only YOU can make YOURSELF look bad.

I'm not sure how, but I intend to work hard to encourage a better atmosphere of motivation at work. It's time that people took pride in an honest day's labor, instead of remaining apathetic and unapologetic about a lazy day's stack of fudgy paper shuffling.