Cowboy Caleb the liberal arts, grown-up stuff & random mischief

There Is No Spoon Carrot

MaureenduLong

Apparently, I had entered some contests at work at work that I wasn’t even aware of. Note the use of the plural. This week, I came in second in some competition and was apparently one of the runner-ups for another one. Both paidoff in the form of vouchers - which means I will get to eat like a king should I find the motivation to drag my arse down to the supermarket (there are no supermarkets near my house).

It is amazing how I could even compete in a competition I wasn’t aware of. The things that management does to motivate and stimulate our creativity is sad. While I admit that my fellow colleagues and I are a bunch of drones, it is due to the fact that we have had our spirits beaten to a pulp to ensure mindless obedience. Everybody knows that mindless loyal zombies who work hard are never going to be very creative in this lifetime.

Would it not be better to eliminate silly contests (which by the way, make us feel like kids) and motivate us by dangling a carrot instead? For an example, best cost-saving idea for the quarter bags you an iPod. Or most awesome project results in a 60% increase in yearly bonus. Better yet, how about a free holiday to Europe for meeting all goals for the year?

Not that I would suggest it of course. I learned long ago (actually 6 months after I joined) that it’s useless to complain or suggest anything. Ha-ha.

if you like the job, you will be creative mah. no meh? if you don’t like the job, do liao then do liao, creative or not also nevermind…

When the rooms, erm, “upstairs” are filled with walking dinosaurs, there’s no room for creativity. You just do as you are told.

We use your vouchers, lah, and then Terz can cook dinner :)