I have a ton of pet peeves. Truly, I do! For example, clothes left in dressing rooms, carts abandoned in parking spaces and cars that are apparently made without turn signals. My initial reaction upon seeing any of the above is immediate disappointment, frustration and annoyance. “Why are people so lazy,” I say. Then I stop, take a deep breath and re-examine my thinking. Sure, we all have moments when we're having an awful day and just don't feel like taking the effort to wheel a shopping cart 5 spaces back to its covered home.
Who am I to judge the reasons behind someone else's choices? Perhaps that person woke up to bad news, recently suffered a great loss or is overwhelmed with stress. My frustration, as true as it may be at the time, doesn't do anyone any good. Most of all me! So, the next time I answer the phone and a customer's unhappy, displeased and aggravated tone of voice greets me it's up to me to decide how I react. Do I counter their malcontent with my own? Or do I take a moment and realize there could be more going on in that person's life then I know?
How often do we say “Don't take it personally” then turn around and do just that? That annoyed customer may deflect her issues onto me because I'm the one who answered the phone but if I allow her actions to define mine then I'm only perpetrating further malcontent. I can't control anyone's actions but my own.
Those of you reading this will hopefully consider who really feels the effects when you become enraged because someone cuts you off, drives too slow or stops at a yellow light. You may honk your horn at me, that's your choice. But it's also mine to shake my head and continue on my way without letting your actions define mine.
All the best,
Kelly
