I recently bought a tanning package at a new facility and am, so far, unhappy with it. My tan is beautiful and dark, so that makes me feel good, but I just don't feel good about being there. It's almost as if I'm burdening employees when I walk in door. Without looking up from their computer, they ask my last name and how long I plan to tan for. They bark a bed number and that's it.

The only emotion I seem to get is from sign taped to each stalls' door instructing tanners to bring out their towels and goggles emphasized by three exclamation points. As I bring out my goggles to front counter, none of three employees turns in my direction to retrieve them. So, I set them on counter and walk out door without so much as a "Bye" from any of them.

As a result, I want to go back to my old tanning facility. There, I received a smile as soon as I walked in door and right before I walked out.

What attitude do you bring to work each day? Are you there to cover your anatomy or give real service to organization? Are you there to give best of your skills and creativity or are you there to do least you can for a pay check?

What if you work for yourself? This can be most exciting and compelling work, however, you can kid yourself there as well. I've met many folks who have good ideas, great skills and excellent health and are not successful. Most often, as I work with them in a coaching capacity, it becomes clear that they are afraid to take their ideas to marketplace. As long as they are talking about what is possible, researching, studying, networking, 'developing', they kid themselves that they are doing something. They are always 'getting ready'. That, of course, does prevent failure. No one will say 'No' to you if you don't ask for their business. You can look very good while doing no good for yourself or your bank account!

When any person's work life is built on basis of 'How can I do least for most money?', equation stops working. It stops working for company obviously. The employee is not giving value for time and money spent. The company cannot prosper. Jobs are lost and you'll likely be first to go. It stops working for employee in a few ways. Not only will they likely be fired, they will not be happy. They will find fault, cause problems, and irritate co-workers who need them to pull their weight. It gets even more curious when they blame their inertia on company or people at work. Big problem!

The focus is wrong. If you are going to spend 30 to 35% or more of your life hours working each week, make it best experience possible for all concerned. That includes you! Think about this:

You will never have hours from 8 AM to 5 PM on March 20th, 2002 again. What makes most sense? Marking time at work doing least you can while complaining and hoping no one will get on your back, or, putting a smile on your face and doing fair work for fair pay with a good attitude and not having to look over your shoulder?

Giving your best at work is economical. That is what uses least amount of emotional energy. I hope you believe that. It is difference between just wanting to look good to save your anatomy and wanting to do good to save your integrity.