Front Row Parking…

Have you ever felt the triumph of getting the first-row parking space at Costco on the weekend?  The rush of parking right next to the shopping cart storage?

A similar rush of emotion can occur if you have spent some time circling for a spot only to have another driver pull right into your rightful spot without even circling once. 

This is the opportunist.  They know the spot is not theirs.  They did not get up early and arrive at store opening.  They didn’t put in the hard work of circling the lot.  They happened to be at the right place at the right time.  So they got the parking spot…

In the workplace, opportunists will take credit for work they haven’t done.  They will leave early while you stay late.  They will have short-term wins.   But what will they gain?  A temporary parking spot?

They will not gain the same sense of accomplishment you will if you put in the time and energy of earning the win.   The parking spot feels better if it has your name on it.