DEAR HARRIETTE: I got chastised for having my phone out on the job a few days ago. After promising I would keep it put away, I got caught again today taking pictures of the sunset. I got bored on the job, but now I am in hot water. There has also been an instance of me asking a customer for her number. I want to change, and this time definitely gave me a wake-up call. Do you think there's anything I could do to save my job at this point? I really need the money. -- Talkin' to the Boss, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
DEAR TALKIN' TO THE BOSS: You need to right your ship, so to speak, which requires doing a serious self-assessment. Why are you choosing to make bad decisions that you know are irresponsible? Do some digging to learn what is motivating you. You say that you have been bored, but is that a good enough reason to throw away your work responsibilities?
You have to convince yourself that you can do a better job before anyone else will believe you. Being nonchalant and flippant is not the way to build a career or keep a job. Whether or not you love your job, you say that you need it. What behavior do you think is necessary to keep your job? Make a list of what those behaviors are, and decide if you believe you can do them.
When you go to your boss, apologize for your past behavior. Describe what you believe it will take to keep your job, and offer to commit to doing those things now.
(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)