Have you ever been out somewhere and heard something that made you really want to write about it? Well, that’s what happened to me this morning.
I was at a cafe for breakfast with my mother and was talking with the delightful young lady who was our server. I asked her a question about something to which she responded with the name of someone I should speak with. But, then it was the next thing she said that made me cringe a little inside. She chuckled a little and said, “I’m just a server.”
If I had known her, I would have responded to that sentiment with my words of wisdom. And, maybe I should have – and that’s really my bad. You see, I have a hard time with people saying, “I’m just …” because you’re not JUST anything.
YOUR Impact
In the case of a server at a cafe or restaurant, I am quite sure that I’m not the only one who realizes that the servers we encounter can make or break our experience there. A server who is pleasant and who gets my order right, one who takes pride in what they do – that’s the server I want to have! So, they’re not JUST servers. Same thing with the folks who clear the tables. They’re not JUST the people who clear the tables. If they do a bad job, then the table will be sticky for the next person. And, I don’t know about you, but I definitely don’t want to go to a restaurant that has sticky tables. Likewise with the people who prepare the food and the people who keep the restaurant clean.
The number of good or bad experiences will directly impact the success or demise of the establishment.
Administrative Assistant Sue
For a good part of my adult life, I was an Administrative Assistant. I remember very vividly one of my managers telling me once that I was “just an admin” and I remember how much those words stung. Had I not needed the job, I would have shot back with, “I will have you know that I’m the one who is your gatekeeper, I do the things you don’t want to do, I make sure that you are reimbursed for your expenses and that you are where you’re supposed to be at any given time, and by God I make you look good! So, I am NOT JUST an admin.”
Be Proud!
I could go on referencing any occupation, reminding people that they are “not JUST …” Folks, “you ARE …” Be proud of who you are and what you do. Be the best YOU that you can be!
Cover photo by Robert-Owen-Wahl from Pixabay
Office photo by Jörg Möller from Pixabay
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