Why WE Do What WE Do

In this BLOG I will discuss your life’s orientation and value systems. This involves how you look at the world, what is right or wrong, good or bad, likes and dislikes, work paths, and overall personality. Personality is described as “an individual’s unique way of behaving and of seeing and interpreting the actions of other people and events.”

So, what determines an individual’s personality?  As I indicated in last month’s BLOG, where and how you grew up is a factor.

For example, I grew up very poor. My brother, sister and I were raised by my wonderful Mother. However, we were welfare recipients. There were times that our dinner would consist of a Swanson’s TV dinner, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a bag of popcorn or nothing. Because of this experience my “value system” or life’s orientation does not allow me to waist food or much of anything else. Right or wrong that’s my value system. People who didn’t experience my situation might not have any concern about wasting food and often roll their eyes when I share my value system with them. When my sons lived at home I would always tell them, “I don’t care how much food you put on your plate during meals, however, whatever you put on that plate you better eat.”

They never could understand why I was so adamant about eating what was on their plate. They could never understand what the big deal was. Well, the big deal was a result of me being poor and sometimes hungry. My sons never experienced being hungry. They always had all the food they desired. They never missed a meal unless it was their choice.

The following is another example. Many older fire department supervisors don’t buy into the values and work ethic of today’s firefighters. Some even feel that the younger generation’s commitment and work ethic are seriously lacking. They don’t understand the need for the semi-military rank and structure concept employed by the fire service. Many of the new team members have more formal education than their supervisors, which sometimes manifests itself as a lack of respect for the boss.  Another challenge for today’s supervisor is dealing with the simple and non-threatening behaviors such as tattoos, earrings, body piercings, different hair styles and facial hair.

On the other side of the coin, many new workers believe the boss is stuck in the great depression mentality they learned from their parents.  Stubborn, inflexible, an obstacle to change, and “It’s my way or the highway” are words often used to describe these older supervisors.

I guess the bottom line for all of us is to understand the importance of individuality. Individual behavior is dependent on a vast heritage of background characteristics. A personality is shaped by the forces of home environment, education, and work experience. This individuality causes people to behave as they do, even though such behavior often appears illogical to others who haven’t taken the time to understand that person

VIVI BENE–LIVE WELL
RIDI SPESSO–LAUGH OFTEN
E AMA MOLTO–LOVE MUCH