Essay: Blue Collar Philosophy

5 Working Class Philosophies
Sew ‘em into your bones, they’ll take you far
By Anthony Rosario-Licerio

1. 5 Minutes Early Is On Time; On Time Is Late; Late Is Unacceptable.
   Amat Victoria Curam
   
   Set the Tone, show up early, prepare for the day, and be ready to be the last one to leave — they’ll notice and you’ll earn yourself capital for the times you do arrive late. Grab the War Drum, set the cadence, and the battles ahead will never catch you off guard.
   
2. Roll up your sleeves, tighten your belt, and come prepared to help. You are neither above or below any task.
   I have disarmed people and unlocked doors to rooms with, “I am here to help,” and built my career and experience helping others achieve their vision. Once inside knock down every wall, rip the door off the hinges if you have to, remove every barrier of entry, and never stop building.
   
3. Be about the people, and address them by name.
   In every industry there are workin’ people strugglin’ to pay their tariffs for everyday expenses, groceries, and utilities. They have the same hopes and dreams you have, and a strong desire to break generational curses. Appreciate and acknowledge their work and effort — these workin’ people are your equal, you are not above or below them. Your job is equally important to the job they are doing. The mountain will humble you.
   
4. Where your backbone, where your code at?
   Honor, Integrity, Loyalty, Reliability, and Respect, come correct and stay ten-toes down. Pretenders don’t last long. See 3
   
5. Every Teacher has a Student, every Student has a Teacher. We learn to teach and teach to learn. I am nowhere near the person I am today without my mentors, Kevin Palena, Ira Erbs, Filet, Gary Cox, Alicia Mickes, Aileen DeLeon, and my first and second teachers (my village & experience) — they fought tooth and nail, and squeezed every bit of potential out this stubborn student. You may have not given your teachers your best effort, but they have earned acknowledgment for their efforts. Thank ‘em and show ‘em you learned something by putting in the work and when you’ve reached a point of mastery teach someone else.

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