I've Literally Experienced Over 70 Jobs

The shortest job was 15 minutes, the longest was a little over 3 years. Each and every one of them taught me valuable things about people, work, logistics, psychology and more. I've gained a healthy respect for the amount of effort and skill it takes to accomplish the phrase "Oh, I'll just..."

Through personal awareness and self-growth, I have drastically changed how I approach jobs, the types of jobs I'm able to handle and how I learn and progress with a job. The end result has been a move away from 'employment,' and a quest toward business development and consulting.

Though I've not been paid nearly as much in wages, I feel I've gained a significant education I could not get elsewhere. I'm aware of a great deal, while being aware there is much I'm not aware of. I do my best to keep my feedback to areas I have quite a bit of experience in.

When You Look at an Item on a Store Shelf

What goes through your mind? I'd really like to know how different your thoughts are from mine. You see, I've worked in so many different industries my viewpoint is saturated. When I look at nearly anything I have seemingly endless though processes going over all the things man did to create that item. From mining and/or farming the raw materials to manufacturing the parts, to assembly, to market research and advertising, packaging and materials creation, customer service and tech support issues, and on and on and on.

I see a service, my thoughts run to logistics and bottom line and how it integrates with society. The advantages and disadvantages in that niche and on and on and on and on.

After all the exposure I've had to various aspects of multiple industries, I have lost the narrow viewpoint. :)

I Was 36 When My Non-Biological Son Was Diagnosed with Autism

It was at this point 80% of the arguments between my wife and I evaporated. We were suddenly very aware I was not "teaching" our son my habits, we simply shared the same autistic traits.

This was in 2008 and I had already experienced over 60 jobs. Customer service, food service, construction, tech support, business owner, sales, market research, and on and on and on. I look forward to relaying some of the more interesting stories from those experiences. ;)

My Favorite Jobs?

The most fun jobs I've had have been gas station cashier positions, graveyard shift being one of the best. I worked at "The Gunsmoke Travel Plaza" for about 6 months, a little over a year ago. Great job, no drama (almost), plenty of time to chat with people about philosophy and other interesting subjects.

Second most fun job was being a barista for a local coffee shop here in Fairplay, Colorado, called the Cream and Steam. I invested my first 2 and a half, almost 3 months there researching european style espresso. Serving coffee and icecream for 8-11hrs a day and watching/reading about espresso for hours at night and on my day off. When I finally figured it out, my tips tripled and the locals started only showing up on days I worked. (I'm unable to enjoy poor quality espresso like starbucks now. Argh!)

My Worst Job?

I'm actually going to have to think about this. I tend to block out bad experiences, LOL and sometimes it takes me a while to remember. I remember the 15 minute job. I was hired by a very angry man to repair wooden shipping pallets. With a hammer and dull saw, no shade, no amenities. I spent about 15 minutes pulling broken pallets apart and using the pieces to repair 'good' pallets. Pulling nails, pounding them straight and then attempting to use them to secure boards. Fifteen minutes of that was enough for me. The pay was piece work and without tools I would have made about 3$/hr, if I was lucky.

I'm sure I'll remember others as time goes on, there have been so many. :)

How Many Jobs Have You Had? What Was Your Favorite/Worst?

Steemers want to know! Some of us (many times myself in the past) are cooped up in cubicles all day. Give us a peek into your past lives or current occupation. I know I'm interested. :)