I just drove to Costco to fill My car up with gas.
I work Remote in Current Day, and after months of “finishing My job tasks, asking for extra work, etc. etc.” I finally had an Epiphany: My Boss doesn’t care. Meaning? My Boss doesn’t care what I do – hypothetically speaking – as long as I get My job done. And I do, because I am super efficient, super accurate with My data entry, etc. etc. So, all things being equal? I’m air-quotes ‘done’ about 3 hours into My 8-hr day. [N: TECH finally acknowledged that My Boss is disallowed – by law, IRL in Current Day – to not “dump more work on Me compared to the rest of My Teammates” because, “Not Fair!?!” and then Somebody gets sued… so I finally took off the ankle bracelet and started getting To-Do’s done, in that “previously underutilized time.”]
I love Costco. I’ve had the Costco in My town for years, but only in the past handful of years did the Costco Mgmt Folks add a gas station. And… a car wash.
At first? I never considered washing My car through the Costco car wash. Why? Because TECH holds the purse-strings, and is constantly watchful where I spend My money, pooh-pooing anything evaluated as – AKA considered to be – “frivolous” -or- “unnecessary” -or- “wasteful.” But TECH is very much a bean-counter, most of the time.
And I’ll be the first to admit: I. Am. A. Poor. Person. Meaning: I have no discretionary money! [N: discretionary = money above what I am paying for My overhead – food/heat/water/meds, etc] But – and this was a Seed one of My Connections Planted for Me, recently – I have no discretionary money Right Now. To add those two words – kinda like adding “In bed” on the tail end of a fortune cookie fortune – reminds My SB that this state of hand-to-mouth is temporary. Sooner or later? Imma get My next job, with better medical insurance, and making more money. [N: those irons are already in the fire]
So I pull up to the fuel dispenser thingy, tap My Costco credit card – Yes, I have a dedicated-for-Costco credit card; I get cashback rewards? – and the first question that pops up on the screen: “Do You want a car wash for $7.99?”
I barely pay attention to this question anymore, in Full Disclosure. If I want a car wash, I get one. If I don’t want a car wash, I don’t. But My IRL behavior? That’s completely different now.
In the beginning? This Ask triggered Me, because it reminded My SB that “I Am Poor And Cannot Afford…” in this instance, a car wash. Then – after My Come-to-Jesus meeting with TECH – I decided a more “equalized” approach was in order: Incorporating PASSION’s needs, too. Not just TECH’s needs.
And sometimes? PASSION is exhausted. PASSION needs some help. PASSION just “doesn’t feel like” breaking out the car washing crap outta the garage, and washing the car Myself. And drying it with a chamois so it doesn’t get all streaky. [N: My car is only 2 or 3 years old, but I’m not one of those guys who cleans it with a baby diaper, or Q-tips. As long as I can see out of the front window? I’m good loll]
So today just now I answered the question, “No Thank You” and proceeded to fill up My gas tank. $10 over My allotment for gas this week, but I can shave that off My groceries budget – I have enough food in My freezer right now, to tide Me over until I get paid in another week.
And then I go home.
I drive towards the gas station area exit, and make a right to get out of the Costco parking lot.
And here’s the Money Shot of this entire Story I’m telling You right now: If I want to? I could make a left. [N: “to the left, to the left…”] I could still go get My car washed, if I chose. My car is technically dirty enough to be washed, sure… but I wanted to get back home to officially punch out on time.
I do whatever the h#ll I want: “I am the only Boss of Me.”
. . .
Conner’s Comments: And this Concept confuses some TECH Folks, because I have a job and therefore do have a Boss-boss. But He’s not the Boss of *Me* – He is the Boss of My Work. And it’s irrelevant where I physically am, whether that’s working Remote or working in the office, because I would still get done in 3 hours and then be shopping on Amazon the rest of the work day. If He gave Me a special project? Of course I will drop whatever else I’m doing and Prioritize that right away. Because… I can always change My mind.
*mic drop