No matter the job, do it correctly

  • Published
  • By Maj. Kevin Sampels
  • 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron Commander
During Basic Military Training, I was given the additional duty  of cleaning up what seemed like endless pigeon droppings. Although there weren't really any "good" details at basic, pigeon duty was considered one of the worst. Although, I didn't enjoy performing this task, it taught me one of the most valuable lessons in my life: no matter what the job, do it correctly, do it in a timely manner and do it with a positive attitude. 

All jobs, no matter how complex or simple, should be done correctly and completely. Whether performing an engine overhaul or sweeping a floor, always strive for perfection. It's important to follow all guidelines and instructions to complete the job properly and safely. If questions arise about procedures or additional guidance is needed, ask until you get the answer you need. 

Additionally, always be thorough when performing any task. Cutting corners in any job is almost never justifiable and, depending up the severity, could be very costly. Although leaving out a piece of pertinent data on a performance report would not cause a loss of life, skipping a step on the maintenance procedures of an egress system certainly could. All jobs are highly important and deserve your best effort. 

All jobs, no matter how many or few, should be performed in a timely and efficient manner. One of the most important things in accomplishing this is to prioritize all tasks. Certain tasks, such as performing a feedback session, are easily prioritized because of an established due date, but arranging other jobs can be just as simple. Keep a list of all pending tasks, weigh the importance and demands of each, and prioritize them accordingly. Make sure you perform an honest evaluation and don't put off the tasks you dread most until last. In addition to prioritizing jobs, find the most efficient method possible to accomplish them. The key is to have the necessary tools readily available, know how to use them, and perform the task in a logical sequence. 

All jobs, no matter how important or seemingly trivial, should be done with a positive attitude and with pride. What often helps in achieving this is to realize every job is important and, in some way, contributes to the success of the Air Force mission. Even something as simple as picking up trash around the base, thereby making a positive attitude on a visiting dignitary, can ultimately affect decisions concerning, say, base closure or a budget increase in base operating costs. Learning to take pride in what you do, which goes hand in hand with keeping a positive attitude, is just as important. 

Some jobs, such as performing on the base honor guard, are easy to take pride in because they get a lot of highlevel visibility. However, it's important to take pride in all jobs because each one is as important as the next. And if nothing else, the quality of every job a person completes is a direct reflection of them, their work ethic, and commitment to the job.