The Chess Piece Realization
Today was the day that it all sank in. My boss is no longer connected with our company. And today is the day I realized that work is gonna be a bitch! But today was also a day that I totally understood that work is just work. And my performance or happiness does not need to depend on the company I am associated with but rather the people that I work with.
The company is just an organization that gives me money each month to pay my bills and then some. I spoke very candidly to the boss of my boss today and got an answer that was not BS, that I thought was genuinely true.
I told him how devastated and demotivated I am that my company did not even offer a sliver of hope to my former boss (btw… just writing that was a bit weird). I told him that I am afraid that if something happens to my pass that my company wouldnt have my back and wont support me.
I was expecting for the normal schpill of the company cares for you etc…but instead he offered me a dose of reality. He said, the company is always going to do right for the company. And that in the real world, companies are mere corporations that that’s there to profit and make money. Putting an ideal that a company has your back should never be a reason for you to do good work. Dont rely on loyalty as these companies are businesses. And that ultimately you are only an ends to a means. He mentioned that you do good work and do what work that is good for you. And choose to do the things you like to do instead of killing yourself for the company which in any case, will move on even after you leave.
It is then a question of whether you find somewhere else where you will be feel what you desire or continue to work here and take your salary, enjoy the work you do and enjoy the people that you work with. The company should be the last priority.
Which made me realize that perhaps we are all just pawns in the rat race. It’s a chess game this corporate world that we thrive and survive in.
I knew from experiences of family and friends that Loyalty as we call it is dead. That companies and employees are mere transactions. That if they need to sacrifice a pawn to win the game then so be it. But until today, it didn't sink in until it was said and totally related to what has happened.
I know that I have always been idealistic about my bosses, the company I work for, the people I work with. But maybe now that I’m much older, its time to accept the fact that there is no ideal work, no ideal boss, no ideal colleague. Its an end to a mean. And though the company might seem great from the outside…its is the same as with other companies in the inside.
Dont get me wrong my company isnt the worse. But its also not the best. And maybe there is no best. Maybe I should start to reframe my mindset and not expect too much from any organization, any boss or any officemate.
This task is quite hard for me…but given all that I’ve gone through with different companies…maybe its about time that I learn how to stop having expectations and just see things as they are… its a job…what else can you expect from it. Anything that seems great about a company is just a bonus…and it shouldn’t be the norm.
Maybe in this chess game we are part of…we only are as good when there is use for us but we know when the time comes, we will eventually be sacrificed to capture the coveted opponent’s King.
Another thing I need to sort out and work on…but I think I needed to hear it and needed to be able to connect it so i can really grasp the idea.
Perhaps its true…the Universe does indeed conspire to bring you to your destiny.
And with that I leave you with these quotes…
“Chess teaches you to control the initial excitement you feel when you see something that looks good. It trains you to think before grabbing and to think just as objectively when you’re in trouble.” — Stanley Kubrick
“When your house is on fire, you cannot be bothered with the neighbors. Or, as we say in chess, if your King is under attack, do not worry about losing a pawn on the queenside.” — Garry Kasparov.
“Life is like a game of chess. I cannot undo the moves but I can make the next step better.” — Edwin Tan
“Some part of a mistake is always correct.” — Savielly Tartakower
