Boss Quote by Gary Lutz
““The boss had a long list of reasons for letting me go--most of which, I am ashamed to admit, were generously understated. It's true, for instance, that I hogged the photocopier for hours on end and snapped at whoever politely--deferentially--inquired about how much longer I would be. I was intent on achieving definitively sooty, penumbral effects to ensure that copies looked like copies, and that, of course, took time. Some days I spent entire afternoons reproducing blank sheets of paper, ream after ream, to use instead of the "FROM THE DESK OF--" notepads the boss kept ordering for each of us.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Office Life” (2010)
The narrator admits over‑indulgent habits at work, highlighting how perfectionism and ego can lead to wasted time and strained relations.
In simple terms: Obsessive perfectionism wastes time and harms relationships.
Balance quality with efficiency.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- office tasks
- team dynamics
- personal productivity
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What habits waste your workday?
- How can you maintain standards without overdoing it?
Perfectionism can hinder progress.