Taking a job is acceptance of conditions and responsibilities of the position for a specified wage. Recently, during a lull in my own business, I took on some part-time work in a retail environment serving pet-owners to create some structure and stability. It's not a high paying position, the work is very physical, and it's a bit of a dirty job at times. Nonetheless, the workplace is friendly, the customers are great, and I get to visit with many animals and animal lovers every day. The enjoyment of the position, customer relations, and the staff makes up for the lower pay and physical strain. After a week though, witnessing the lack of work-ethic of others on the team, I begin to feel disillusioned.

Here's the thing: It's not a high paying job and it doesn't require a lot of skill. This job requires people who are willing to work, meet people, and keep shelves stocked and the store clean: Easy stuff. When one person on staff blows off the responsibilities, others who aren't thrilled with the work slack off too. This may not seem like a big deal but sooner or later, the work still has to be done and someone will have to do it. The person who will do it will be a colleague. So how does it feel to be someone who slacks off and has others do the bulk of the work? I honestly don't understand this lack of teamwork.

Working together as a team, doing the little things -- again the little things make the big difference -- helps everyone keep on top of the job duties and makes the work lighter for everyone. Everyone complains about the troublesome aspects of the work, and yet, they do little to accommodate procedures that will make it easier for everyone. Instead, they brush off the importance of doing the little things and let the little things get out of hand until a big problem exists. Once it's out of hand, someone will be assigned the job of cleaning up the mess. How much resentment ends up being created on the team as this occurs?

I want to bring this to everyone's attention. This is important. Your work ethic is important to your personal integrity and the integrity of the team. Give your all to whatever you agree to undertake. If you made a mistake in choosing a company or position, don't ride the coat-tails of others trying to make it work. Instead, get out and find another job that better suits your temperament and preferences. The other people on the job don't deserve the burden of carrying your load.