The Shotgun Rule…

I have always loved to crack jokes. However, I would never have considered myself the class clown, and nor was never labeled that way (at least as far as I know 🙂 ). But I never ignore an opportunity to have a little bit of fun. I even recently even changed my TikTok niche and nickname to better represent who I am and to have a little bit more fun with my TikTok videos. If you want to check out my account, you can see my silliness HERE.

I believe there’s a time and a place for everything. There is absolutely a time to be serious and to conduct oneself appropriate to the environment and situation. But I also think there is a time when one needs to have a little fun.

Here’s a memory from a former job I had about 30 years ago. I was working for a very large and successful company that was known for its customer service and its dedication to its employees. My position at the company was a Customer Service Instructor and I was encouraged to use my personal style to get the message across that customer service is key.

No, this is not going to be a blog post about customer service. We can chat about that later. This blog post is going to be about having a little bit of fun on the job.

On a break from teaching my class one day, I got into a discussion with several fellow instructors. It was not a discussion on customer service or classroom delivery or creative training techniques or anything about our respective jobs. It was rather…kind of an argument. We wrestled with a question for about 15 minutes before we decided to take action.

I can’t believe that I’m admitting that I participated in this argument, but if I’m honest, I’m the one that started it. We were arguing about the “Shotgun Rule.”

For those of you that don’t know what the Shotgun Rule is, here is a very brief explanation. When we were kids, we always used to fight about who sat in the front seat of the car when we went anywhere. The front passenger’s seat was called “Riding Shotgun.” There’s a whole reason for that term that I encourage you to Google because it’s rather interesting and a little funny.

Anyway, there were five kids in my family and Riding Shotgun was the most desirable seat in the car and it produced many verbal and sometimes physical altercations.

It turns out that my fellow instructors also had the same experiences with their siblings and there was a way to resolve the dispute. The person who yelled “Shotgun” first was awarded the coveted seat and the discussion was over. It’s funny how once that word was yelled everyone agreed that somebody won and there were no more problems.

Now here’s where the argument comes in play with my fellow instructors. The dispute was when a person could yell Shotgun. Here are the three scenarios:

1. I was always under the opinion that one had to be outside and in visual range of the car in order to yell shotgun to be qualified to claim the seat.
2. Another instructor disagreed and said one could yell Shotgun anywhere inside the house and be awarded the seat if they said it first.
3. And finally, a third instructor said one could be in the house but had to be looking at the car through a window or open door and then yell Shotgun to get to sit in the best seat available and have bragging rights.

We seriously argued about this for 15 minutes until I had an idea to resolve the matter. I still can’t believe we did what we did next.

Our offices were located on the same floor and close in proximity to the Chief Operating Officer of the company. This executive was well known in the industry for not only being brilliant, but she had the ability to defuse situations in a manner that was legendary. She could be tough, she could be funny, she could be serious, she could look at you in a way where you would melt, she could put a person in their place when needed and then immediately hug that person showing that she valued and truely cared for them. Again, she was brilliant!

Well, I told my buddies that only this person could settle the matter and we could rely on her stature and wisdom. So, we walked right up to her door, knocked and interrupted whatever she was doing at the moment. She knew who we were since we worked on the same floor and asked how she could be of assistance. I proceeded to explain to her our argument and asked her for her opinion.

After we were done talking, she stared at us for about 30 seconds without saying a word. That 30 seconds seem like 30 minutes. In that short amount of time, I began to write my resume in my head as I figured my tenure with this company had come to an abrupt end.  I had interrupted one of the most important people in the company to ask a silly question about The Shotgun Rule.

She shook her head at us and then smiled and said, “Ernie, everybody knows that you have to be outside before you yell shotgun. Now, get back to work and thank you for bringing me your important question.” Then she laughed and walked us out into the hallway.

My coworkers and I talked about that experience after we left her presence. First, I was quick to point out that I was right! More importantly, we learned some very good lessons that day.

1. Sometimes one should consider their actions before they follow through with them (we got lucky she was in good spirits).
2. If you’re stuck with a dilemma or in an argument, have the courage seek good counsel.
3. Align yourself with good leaders and learn from them and how they react to different situations.
4. It is OK to have a little bit of fun at work as long as you get back to work.

I recently had the opportunity to talk with one of these former coworkers all these years later and he remembers the conversation. He’s still a little mad that I was right and he was wrong but he’s going to have to live with his wrongness! 😊

To this day I still can’t believe we did this. I was a lot younger, and a lot less wise. But it was a good opportunity for me to realize that is OK to have a little bit of fun at work.

So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked!

Work is hard! Work is stressful! Work is challenging! Work is tiring! And a whole lot of other undesirable things that we can say after the words “Work is.”

Or We Can Say…

Work is rewarding! Work is satisfying! Work fills my need to be relevant as a provider for my family and one that offers value to others! Work fills my bank account! Work gives me the sense of accomplishment! And again, a lot of other things we can say after the words “Work is.”

One thing that is often not said is that work is fun. But that is on us if that is the case. Our work does not always provide us the opportunity to jump up and down with giddiness because of the great times we are having. No, it can be difficult and difficult things are not always fun.

But if we look hard enough, we can find the fun in what we do. I am not sure what you do for a living, but I am finding enjoyment in what I’m doing even though not everything that I do is always enjoyable.

I have not changed who I am. I am always asking questions and I am always trying to add a little bit of levity in almost every situation.

Now that I am working for myself, I find that I can do things and behave in ways that fit my personality. I can dress a little bit differently than when I was in the corporate world. I can joke a little bit more. I can often tease those around me.  And I can generally choose to have fun.

That’s the reason I changed my TikTok channel. My goal for that platform was to get the number of followers necessary in order to qualify for TikTok shop. I discussed this in a previous blog post. I did it! I was invited to be part of TikTok shop.

I decided that I’m going to continue to make silly and funny videos (or at least funny to me) in addition to making videos that will promote products on TikTok. I enjoy making those videos. Many have commented that my videos make people laugh. At least I’m happy to know that some people like my content.

But what is equally important, is that I like my content. In the midst of trying to improve my standing on the platform which will lead to more profits, I’m enjoying myself.

This is just one of many ways that I’m having fun at work… my work.

How do you find joy in what you are doing even when it is taxing? How do you get past those situations when things seem so difficult? Do you use humor? Do you reason things out in your own way using your unique personality and valuable traits? I’d love to hear how you get past situations that are challenging. How do you remain true to yourself?

I guess what I’m really asking is do you give yourself permission to be YOU while you are working at your business?

Now I’m off to take a break and while on the break, I’ll probably tease my pretty wife. Hey, there’s probably a video in that teasing and joking.

“Work is either fun or drudgery. It depends on your attitude. I like fun.” — Colleen Barrett

“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” — E. E. Cummings

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” — Walt Disney

And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:

Why did the employee go to work with a pillow? Because they heard it was going to be a “dream job”

Why did the manager bring a pencil to the board meeting? Because they wanted to “draw some conclusions.”

What did the employee say to their boss at lunch while eating French fries? “I’m trying to ketchup on my work!”

 Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!

 

 

 

 

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