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attitude, blessings, Expectations, getting through life, Happiness at Work, Looking at things differently, Positive Thinking
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(This is not the real delivery guy)
It’s going to be a great day.
That’s what it said on the top of the delivery sheet.
A handsome, young man who was expecting the worst…you could tell.
He told me he had to remind himself. His mantra was on the top of every work order for every day…because, “One bad customer can ruin your whole day.” He had 20 deliveries the day he saw me, and he was all business. From my corporate experience, I suspect he was on some kind of PIP – performance improvement plan. Maybe people had complained and he was REQUIRED to write it at the top of each work order. It’s an educated guess, informed by the fact he told me, “Honestly, I should’ve refused this delivery, so they could send a smaller truck,” as soon as he arrived.
Not a good way to win friends and influence people.
I suspect this young man had more impact on what his days were like than any outside influences did – only he didn’t realize that. I don’t mean so much by his attitude, which could have used a bit of polishing, but simply by his expectations.
[Tweet “Our expectations put us in control of our lives. ~Michelle Andres”]
That one is a triple entendre so, take a moment, drink it in.
You know, if something unpleasant happens and you had expected it, you prove to yourself you were right. You are in control. I guess it makes us feel safe. Sometimes, I’ve surprised myself by intentionally, making a conscious effort to expect the best when I otherwise would have expected much less. THEN, I’ve been surprised by the pleasantness of the outcome. Is it really that we’re so smart that we make good calls, or is it more of a self-fulfilling prophecy?
Any ol’ hou, back to the story –
The young man said, “One bad customer can ruin your whole day…just one bad customer.”
I looked him in the eyes, “Yes, but just expect the best.” He looked at me quizzically.
(This is not really my keyboard)
I thanked him for his work. He asked me if I was registered for his company’s emails. I said I was. “You might be getting a survey about this delivery; a survey about me. Rating 1 is not pleased, but 10 is the best.”
“And, you want all 10’s?”
“Yes!” and a huge smile spread across his face. That is when it occurred to me –
We often give away our power to be successful and happy, simply by the way we choose ourexpectations or perceive other people’s actions. (click to Tweet)
We’re just so willing to get in our own way, yet so unaware when we do it. For some of us, it may be nothing more than a bad habit.
Here’s to removing obstacles by making positive choices,
Michelle Andres is a writer and artist who cultivates her own Well Lived Life by drinking in the beauty around her, following her passion, respecting others and
owning her own dookie.
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16 Comments
February 19, 2016 at 10:35 pm
Wow! This was great1 Really felt this today. Thanks so much. Having a few good days. Still crying everyday but for less time. This was a great post.
Thanks,
Jennifer Benton
February 19, 2016 at 10:39 pm
Ahhh, Jennifer! So glad it hit the spot. Everything will be alright…really it will. Expect good things, my sweet girl. XOXO!
February 21, 2016 at 1:51 pm
Sometimes people just need to get a different job. Interesting story.
February 21, 2016 at 4:03 pm
Maybe a slight shift in his expectations of others would be the easiest fix. It’s my experience those things carry over into all areas of our lives.
February 22, 2016 at 10:51 pm
Powerful message Michelle! If I expect a good day, I get a good day. If I expect the best, I receive the best. Do I do this every day? I wish I did. Great reminder to have positive expectations of myself and others. Thank you!
February 23, 2016 at 3:12 am
It’s not easy, Nancy. For certain, it’s a practice. When I was in corporate we used to teach/preach “unconditional positive regard.” In essence, giving everyone the benefit of the doubt and thinking they were probably doing their best. It prevented a lot of misunderstandings. Oh, the stories we can contrive in our heads! LOL! Thanks for your comment! ~m
February 23, 2016 at 3:39 pm
I bet that delivery boy played the story of meeting you in his head quite a few times that day, Michelle ;-). My biggest challenge these days isn’t so much a bad attitude of how my day will go (life is very exciting and full) but more in making assumptions about what others are thinking when I interpret their actions as behaving badly. Working on it daily to let go of the dumb stress I create for myself with such things.
March 2, 2016 at 4:25 pm
I think that self-awareness is wonderful, Nanette. I hope I always am able to identify an area to work on so I can continue to grow. Wouldn’t want to “stagnate,” now, would we?
February 23, 2016 at 4:28 pm
How very, very true, Michelle. Golly – I’m with Nanette. I’ll bet your smiling face and unique “Yes, but just expect the best” startled him throughout the rest of his day. I hope it continues to startle him for a wee bit longer. I recently flew home from Salt Lake. The journey could have taken me 3 hours had I flown direct but due to the MUCH cheaper fare, I flew through 2 other cities and it took me 10 hours. Was I upset? Nope. Had a hoot. It’s all about the expectations.
March 2, 2016 at 4:23 pm
Yes, Kelly, it really is!
February 25, 2016 at 2:48 pm
So so true! What a great story to remind us that we shape our outcomes just as much as anyone else does.
February 25, 2016 at 3:13 pm
Thanks, Naomi. You mean I could’ve said all that in 10 words? Thank you for your succinct wrap up! 😉
February 29, 2016 at 7:05 am
Awww…I kind of feel bad for the guy. He is in obvious need of a mentor, someone who can teach him that ‘he gets what he puts out in the world’.
In my previous days as a leader I remember telling my employees that even when customers are having a bad day to ‘kill them with kindness’ because you never know what happened in their life that day to put them in that mood. Years later I would have former employees find me and tell me how they still remember that and live by it.
How nice of you to take the moment to share with him the thought to ‘just expect the best’. Surely, that stayed with him for some time.
February 29, 2016 at 3:07 pm
You know, Elda, I thought the same thing. A mentor would be a good addition. Interestingly, many employers don’t take the time nor investment to step up to that plate. I still teach leadership development classes on occasion (usually for public sector employees, now). My “Servant Leadership” class is a big hit. I realized sometime in my career that a good boss was one of the most valuable asset you could have in your career and a rare find. Thanks for shining the light on that aspect of this post. 🙂
March 2, 2016 at 2:46 pm
Aw yes! What a concept, “expect the best”, I too bet that delivery man is replaying his meeting with you and trying to figure out just what it all meant! LOL! Here is hoping he does just that!
March 2, 2016 at 4:25 pm
I hope he does, Debbie. He could change his days. Thanks for chiming in!