Do you know the story on the boy who cried wolf?

Etymology: from the children’s story “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” in which a boy who was watching some sheep called for help when there was no wolf (wild animal) attacking them and then got no help when a wolf did attack the sheep because no one believed him anymore.

I never do that. And you shouldn’t either.

So what does it have to do with MiddleMe? Well, every company has their own boys who cried wolf. These are co-workers who keep on saying, threatening, blackmailing to resign from their jobs. Day after day, you’ll hear things like “I’ll quit once I get my bonus.”, “I will resign if I find a new job.” or “My wife doesn’t understand why I need to work so hard, my sentiments exactly. I should throw the letter.” However, year after year, these people never leave. Not even when their company cut their pay or their boss pile extra work on them. They don’t go.

It is understandable when there are tough times and you just want to find someone to whine, get it off your chest. But it gets old when you do it at every chance you’ve got. Somehow along the way, you just lost the respect of mine and probably your boss as well.

So if you find yourself doing it, stop! Take a deep breath and ask yourself if whining is going to change anything at all. Probably no. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, take action.

Hate your job? Change it. Go for interviews. Look up for new jobs. Upgrade your skills.

Hate your boss? Tell him to his face, you probably can’t get any worse than you are right now.

Hate your workplace? Ask for a transfer. Go for a job switch.

Without taking action, you are just piling yourself with the negativity that you hoped by whining to a listening ear, you’ll get either affirmation that your colleagues feel the same way as you or the acknowledgement of your injustice.

Very soon, your words will not carry any weight. Your listening ears will take you as another ‘boy who cried wolf’.

Do you agree with me? Do you have such colleagues? Tell me more in the comments below.