roll the sleeves up

I find it quite remarkable as writing deadlines approach, interesting topics come up at the last minute forcing me to scuttle long term plans with something "fresh on the plate". It is the most predictable of unpredictable situations as I can always expect changes at the last minute.

This seems to be a peculiar notion in today's world, whereby few expect change or more appropriately are prepared to deal with a "roll up your sleeves" attitude and burn the midnight oil. While it may seem to be nostalgic vision from another era, businesses actually keep the lights on past 5 p.m. and though this might be a morsel of a surprise in the summer of '09, Friday is still a "work day". Unfortunately the "go-go" generation of another time has been overridden in this procrastination frenzy period that is intent on showcasing its intellect in 140 characters, all the while maintaining their "status updates".

How the present work place culture, void of decorum, much less a work ethic got to this point I am not sure but if there is to be economic recovery some basic business skills need to be introduced into school environments and no longer are last-place finishers warmly received with ribbon in hand. Businesses revolve around timeliness and a quality task-driven work-force.

This of-course has a unique spin on it as we enter the "holiday weekend" I have been informed at least three days in advance that many individuals will be off on Thursday, along with a variety of offices closing that day. Fine, so after the summer of tinkering around in the most woeful of manners of slowing business and endless complaints of reducing billable hours, one more five-day weekend appears for the procrastination era. Tuesday, after the grill has shut down and the final "status updates" has been made its time to get back to work.

Roll the sleeves up and yes, per Mr. Iacocca once again, its time to lead, follow or get out of the way. I have to go now, it is 6 a.m. and my day is well underway.