Wandered past a pizza store that is near to where I live in Brisbane. Had to laugh when I saw this poster. Got me thinking. And I mean: Thinking about my thinking. Here’s why.
My first response was that the poster was basically having a go at all of the young ones who expect instant success in life today. The Net Gen who presume that life can be immediately fulfilled with a few clicks of their mouse. And, actually, it most likely IS the intent of this poster (as well as, of course, encouraging teenagers with a good sense of humour to work for them).
And then I got to thinking. Why did I so quickly determine that it was funny, and maybe even sarcastic, to see a comment about a young person being highly successful in a shorter period of time? After all, I (and many others amongst us) are often encouraging our students to get out there and give everything to life. And, as long as they stay ethical with their work, then good luck to them if they make it (whatever ‘it’ is!?).
Yep. How quickly do we subtly dump (well, me anyway) on someone who gives everything to life, and who expects to achieve at a prodigious level? I used to say that quality work took time. Painstaking and sometimes arduous time. Maybe that’s just a perspective of someone who’s predominantly lived in the 20th century. Everything’s a different speed today.
Do I need to speed myself up further? Not necessarily. I just need to be prepared to pay respect to others who savour working at a different rate.
