1985. I was seventeen and working as a grocery stocker for a large supermarket chain. I liked the work: facing the jars and packages, lining everything up just right. It gave me a sense of calm and satisfaction.

There was often more work than could be finished within our scheduled hours. When our shift ended, the doors remained locked. No one went home until the last box had been unpacked. We were not paid for the extra time.

A few times, I simply went along with it. I thought: this is just how things are.

But something began to bother me.

One evening, I reached my limit. I stopped working, looked at the manager, and told him I wanted the door opened.

He said it would stay closed.

I stood my ground.

The door opened.

The next day, I quit.

Sometimes, you reach a point where you stop going along with the way things are and ask yourself: What do I actually think about this?

And then choose to act on it.

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This chapter is from my book Doing What Matters – Resilience at Work with ACT.

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