Keith Welch: Life lessons learned from UPS
I understand I am the sum total of all of my experiences. When I back up in my life walk, analyzing significant or seemingly insignificant benchmarks along the way, it becomes very apparent these events continue to contribute to the personality patchwork mosaic known as me.
One such important developing stage of my life was my employment time with UPS in Indianapolis. Much of the taught work habits I learned and acquired knowledge from those days still exhibit themselves in my daily life choices.
The G.I. bill funds for my college at I.U.P.U.I suddenly stopped in 1978 as the U.S. Congress were deliberating on the budget for the year. I had to do something to stay in school. I noticed on a college bulletin board that UPS was coming to the college to interview for jobs. I decided to apply, not really knowing what to expect. They immediately hired me.
I started by unloading semi-trucks of packages, then after a few weeks was moved to loading four package delivery cars for the next four years. Congress finally passed the budget and the G.I. bill was in place, but I still stayed at the night work at UPS while attending college during the days. When driving was offered to me it became necessary to cut my hair and work days.
Now I could almost say: “Much of what I learned about life I learned at United Parcel Service. What are the lessons I learned?
Take the path of least resistance. I am a creature of habit. This tendency is often a good thing, but it can also be an annoyance to my family. I understand taking a more difficult way builds character, but when I have the opportunity of choice, I take the path with the least amount of obstacles.
Leave yourself an out. We were to park our vehicle as if we were a bank robber when we stopped to make a delivery. Since I never had previous experience in this kind profession, I understood this meant we doubled park so as not to become stuck in between other cars. This worked well until I was delivering some packages to a home office containing iron bars on all of the windows and doors. As I was getting the necessary signature, one of the employees shut the iron door entrance locking us all securely inside. I asked them to open it. They all immediately laughed and indicated their boss had the only key and would not return until after lunch.“Isn’t there any other way out?” I asked frantically as I realized my nicely ordered day interrupted. They answered almost with a hint of glee, enjoying my predicament, “There is the restroom window which does not have bars on it, but it is kind of small.” I was able to squeeze through the small window aided by some uncomfortable pushing on their part.
Order your day. I am still working on this one. I have noticed when I have a plan for my day, more gets accomplished. Things go smoother when you know what direction you are going, what needs to be finished and how you are going to accomplish it.
Finish the day's work today. The completion of the important daily tasks must take precedence. At UPS, we always wanted to finish the delivery of our route for each day.
Handle other people's property as if it were your own. This lesson is still important today when permitted the use of something belonging to someone else.
Details are important. UPS even instructed us how to hold our vehicle keys when we made a delivery so we could fasten our seat belts and start the engine at the same time in a habitual motion. The details of a project fill in the necessary steps and move work toward completion.
Image and appearance sells. No matter what anyone says, we know impressions are an important part of life.
UPS still has an impact on my life 38 years after I left their employ. I really believe all of our life experiences, whether good or bad, contribute to who we are and the way we do things.
“I saw how the Lord my God carried me, as a father carries his son in all the way I have gone until I have reached this place.” (Deuteronomy 1:31b) For you see, God is a God of order, too. He directed my life during my time at UPS and God still directs my life today.
How about you? What makes you ... you?
— Keith J. Welch is a resident of Holland. He has an MFA in creative writing and is a retired Salvation Army Major. Contact him at Keith.welch16@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Keith Welch: Life lessons learned from UPS
