Attitude

So what is it about attitude and how it relates to serving others. To me it is a core component of not only ones work but is an essential part of ones life. There are people that go through life constantly battling the belief that, "..if only others would treat me more nicely, then I could have a more positive attitude." These people always believe that others are the reason for their misery. And since others are to blame for their feeling this way, then they justify treating others just as poorly. It is these people we do not want in positions of customer service.

I myself would never say it is easy. My path to work leads me to a freeway and lots of merging cars and people including myself that should have left 5 minutes earlier. So road tension can be high especially when you couple that with the general belief of people that they are 'better drivers then the other person'. There is plenty of opportunity for someone to purposely or inadvertently cut you off or send you a signal. But how do you let it effect you?

At 7:30 in the morning, on the way to work, are you willing to let that other person set the tone of the day for you? Many people do and it isn't just that person checking people out in the big discount store (when there are twenty other closed check out lines) that allows it to effect them. It is also the person taking service calls over the phone, the bank teller handling your money and yes, the CEO on his or her way to an important meeting.

Attitude is a choice and your life can be changed by changing your attitude. Norman Vincent Peale said, "human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes." It can and does change lives. It can start on that morning drive to work. Try it some time when somebody 'wrongs' you on the road. Just smile and keep your hands firmly on the steering wheel. You may be surprised how it changes your day.