The best job you'll ever have is the one you've got right now Published Feb. 6, 2009 By Chief Master Sgt. James Dowell 621st Contingency Response Wing MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- Sounds like a contradiction, doesn't it? That's what I thought when my squadron commander shared this concept with me many years ago at Kunsan Air Base, Korea. As a new technical sergeant select, I was thrilled to receive that elusive line number for promotion. My commander congratulated me, and then he took a few minutes to share some career guidance. "The best job you'll ever have is the one you've got right now." When he said that, I must have had a puzzled look, so he elaborated a bit to help me comprehend the deeper meaning. "Lots of folks sit around wishing for the ideal job, or an impressive duty title, but they don't realize that you have to perform well now to qualify for those rewards. So do a great job every day, regardless of your feelings, and the Air Force will reward you well." Now I've been the beneficiary of great mentoring over the years, but this was probably the best piece of advice I've ever received. Too often, Airmen of all ranks hinge their satisfaction or job performance on their current situation. We've all been in situations where we are dissatisfied with our present base, don't get along with our supervisor, or believe our assigned responsibilities are beneath us and not to our liking. While these feelings may not be wrong, when we then let them prevent us from achieving our full potential, we hurt ourselves, our fellow Airmen and the Air Force. There are a few problems with waiting for the perfect job. First, our core value of "service before self" is not based on personal wishes. Professional Airmen execute their duties in a superior manner, regardless of what kind of day they are having. In basic training, we learned to maintain our military bearing despite adverse circumstances. The same principle applies here. If we stay in the military for any length of time, we will all face the tough boss or the difficult assignment. The temptation to quit or act on less than our full potential will be tempting. However, to fulfill your oath as an Airman, you owe it to the Air Force, and to yourself, to perform your responsibilities to the best of your ability. Only then will you grow personally and professionally. There is another problem with waiting for the perfect job, and that is lost opportunity. Airmen who are overly consumed with their "less than ideal" circumstances are usually lifeless. Consumed with their personal desires, they neglect to do their best every day. The result of this sub-par performance is that when a desirable opportunity does presents itself, an Airman who has done less than their best won't have the track record of excellence to deserve it. Typically, this means the prize goes to someone else, and the cycle of lifelessness continues. So how do you get the job you want? Show some personal and professional integrity. Are you dreaming of PCS orders? Dream in your spare time. Today is the day to roll your sleeves up and get to work right here, at this base, in the unit you're assigned. There are leadership opportunities everywhere. Show the gumption to be a part of the team. Do you have a tough boss? There is only one cure: consistently outstanding performance. Average performance won't cut it. Top performers are universally recognized. Leaders at all levels can tell who is really contributing to the mission. Outstanding performance transcends interpretation by supervisors, whether they are tough or easy. I had another invaluable nugget passed to me years ago. "It's not your boss' job to like you." You are there to work, not to be pals. Let your professionalism speak for itself. Are your duties not to your liking? Tie your boots, grit your teeth and dive in. Learn to like it. Dancing around the edges of tough duty only makes it tougher. Embrace it. Get in the thick of it. Break out the technical order, the regulations and become an expert. Be the first to tackle a problem. Standing along the sidelines is agony. Being a key player brings satisfaction. An amazing thing happens when you do your best each day: it becomes a habit. You'll find yourself growing stronger. Difficulties won't faze you. And when that golden opportunity you've wished for finally presents itself, you will have the track record to justify receiving it. Take care of the Air Force first, and the Air Force will take care of you. Additionally, you'll have upheld your core values and be known as a great Airman: the highest praise you can receive.