Putting on Our Best Selves

5/24/17 Putting on Our Best Selves

Every day, we don a set of clothes of our choosing. People close to us notice. Are our clothes nice? Are they well put together? Do they match the season, and are they appropriate for the social context?  Our outward appearance is a form of our non-verbal communication. What are we projecting- communicating- with our outfit? What do our clothes say about us? 

But... Is our attitude a part of that outfit? Do we “put-on” a certain emotional outlook in the same way we put on clothes? Are we that intentional about our attitude? Should we be more so?

Certainly, there are times when an uncontrolled reaction to a significant event are equally warranted and appropriate (fire, attack, injustice). Most times, though, the world turns more smoothly when we control our reactions and maintain a positive attitude. Because, who benefits when we have a dramatic or unprofessional reaction to an event- especially in the workplace? 

This has been one of my professional growth challenges- to remain professional even if a situation is bad- maybe especially when it is so. Sometimes our coworkers and students find themselves out of control emotionally. Our controlled and solution-oriented response that starts with listening to and assessing a situation may be the first step in reducing the impact of an exigent circumstance. Even if we are feeling out of control, practicing “fake it ‘til you make it” may be the most prudent response.

This is me putting the clothes, face and attitude of my best self. 

The Greatest Opportunity

4/20/15 The Greatest Opportunity

Do long wait times during peak traffic periods mean something detrimental? Well, I guess that’s up to us. Certainly, our attitude about our work will ALWAYS affect our performance and efficacy- and really our attitudes affect our performance more than outside factors like the amount of customers we have backed up at any given time. The famous pastor, Charles Swindoll, said “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”

It can seem like the din of the crush of people in the lobby is impossible to work through, but it isn’t. It’s an opportunity to reach people in ways that may surprise them. One of the reasons that people wait so long is that we provide great service to the people sitting with us no matter who is behind them in line. Our customers will recognize that fact when they finally get to us. It will seem okay to them that they waited because they waited for great service. We will have embraced the opportunity to wow them and make a difference for them.