For a while I watched the TV series “Mad Men.”
Set in the 1950s, the show portrayed professionals as very jaded. Rounds of golf, two-martini lunches and trysts among co-workers seemed to take up a good part of each day.
Perhaps Madison Avenue was like that.
But it was a far cry from most people’s jobs back then and probably most of corporate America today.
I’d venture there’s a greater sense of equality among today’s workers. After all, just about as many women and men have careers these days. And with relaxed dress codes and open floor plans it’s hard to tell who the bigger wheel is.
Certain things about my dad remain indelibly printed on my memory when I was growing up. He always wore a tie and sports coat to work. He smelled of ink and cigarettes. He left the house before we were up and went back to the office after he’d read us stories or, in later years, helped us with homework.
He changed with the times. He quit smoking in 1976 when the surgeon general officially declared cigarettes could damage your health. He lost the tie. And he tore down the partitions that created separate offices.
But he never stopped burning the midnight oil.
“Doesn’t seem right I should get paid for having so much fun,” he’d occasionally say.
With dad as my role model, I grew up thinking work was a wonderful thing — until I got out into the “real” world. Let’s just say I’ve had some dud jobs. But those stints helped me whittle down to what I thought could float my boat.
In the end, of course, I followed in his footsteps and most days I understand and feel his sentiment toward the profession.
Yes, I like to get away. But I love coming home, including back to work.
There’s nothing unique about journalism that makes it especially rewarding. It’s all about one’s attitude.
A good job provides a sense of purpose. At the end of the day you can say you helped the world in some way. That’s what makes you want to get up and do it again tomorrow.
This Labor Day, take a moment to take stock of your contributions. And go ahead and say “good job.” You deserve it.
Dad’s greatest advice: ‘Work is a privilege’
