I love exceptional people. Nothing gets me going like seeing a professional do what they do—with passion, enthusiasm, a huge smile, and a vigor for making others happy.
Such was the case yesterday when I took a trip to our local hospital, there to take my two 10 week old in for those lovely shots that all infants have to get. But before our appointment, my wife and I managed to stop by the cafeteria for a bite to eat.
As most people can easily observe, cafeteria workers are often times not the happiest and motivated group. I’m not sure why really. Maybe they feel underpaid or under-appreciated. Maybe they feel their job isn’t ‘high enough on the totem pole’. Or maybe they don’t get that critical sense of fulfillment we all need in life from whatever it is that we do.
But such was not the case for one gentleman working at the ‘sandwich station’ of the cafeteria. As soon as I walked up to his counter to order a gyro, I immediately noticed this guy wasn’t average. Instead of just going through the motions, he moved around his station with an excitement and vigor that made you think he was preparing meals for the President and his Cabinet. But not only did he exude enthusiasm and passion for his simple sandwiches, he spoke to everyone in line as if they were his best friend, looking each in the eye with a big smile and doing his best to make every customer feel important and taken care of.
And because I just love seeing passion in the workplace, all I could do was just stand and watch with a smile as this man reminded me of something so many have lost in society:
A Love of Work and Service, No Matter What Your Job Title
So I hope anyone reading this little post will follow the lead of this good man and ask yourself these simple questions:
- Do I radiate happiness at work?
- Do I allow my ‘job title’ to dictate how I feel about what I do?
- Do I make each person I come in contact with feel important?
So don’t get caught up in job titles. See the big picture and make the most out of whatever it is that you do. No matter how much you hate your job, be rest assured there is someone out there that utterly enjoys your profession. And as Martin Luther King Jr. once said:
Whatever your life’s work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Couldn’t agree more! What’s funny is where we used to live in AZ, there was a guy who worked at Taco Bell across the street who sounds a lot like your cafeteria worker. One day I finally asked him what his deal was and he said “it’s not your fault I’m an old white guy working at Taco Bell. The more smiles I get the faster my day goes!”
.-= Dave Marciniak´s last blog ..Apologies =-.
Great analogy Dave, heck, maybe I should of had you write this article
…great stuff man.
A great post as usual Marcus,
The most anyone can do is to do their job well.
If you do your job well, be proud. It doesn’t matter what job it is
.-= Daniel M. Wood´s last blog ..Why do Customers Have Objections =-.
That’s right D’, do it well and be proud….we can all achieve this.