Before I get to this week's blog topic, I would like to address a situation that Megan and I were unfortunate enough to witness last week while on our lunch break. The two of us decided to go to my favorite place on earth (Aladdin's) for lunch and while we were there we were inadvertently forced to listen to a woman at a table next to us talking very loudly and proudly about breastfeeding. I mean, that's great for her. It's great that she had a baby, she seemed to be very happy. I appreciate happiness. If you know me, you know that's true. But, perhaps she could have talked to her friends about the milking process at a time and place where other people around her weren't trying to indulge in a meal.
Before lunch, I knew nothing about breastfeeding. In fact, besides the time that I accidentally walked into my cousin's bedroom while she had a breast pump on each nipple, I've never revisited the logistics of the feeding process. Now, I am practically a breastfeeding connoisseur. I even know about the milk drying up process when you stop breastfeeding. From what I understand from Betty breast-feeder, the drying process much resembles how the ground hardens after many consecutive, hot summer days with no rain. Allegedly, it's painful.
The point is, be aware of your surroundings. I certainly did not want to hear about her breast milk and all that goes along with it, and I am certain; based on my observations, that the others in the restaurant felt the same as me.
Last week, we had a ton of excitement at work! PJ got promoted out of Robinson Hco to be a DM in Buffalo, NY. Allison from Monroeville AnF was promoted to Robinson Hco, and my wonderful assistant manager and very good friend Keela was promoted from our store to be the SM at Monroeville AnF. Each one of you are absolutely awesome and I am so happy for you guys and your recent accomplishments! I am thankful that I was able to be apart of your promotion days!
Last week, when I first discovered that Keela was getting promoted, it was definitely one of the top 5 best moments of my life. The happiness that I felt was absolutely amazing. I kept her promotion a secret for two days; setting a record for the longest period of time that I have ever kept a secret.
There is something to be said about the bond that is formed between a group of people working together to accomplish a common goal. There is something to be said about agreeing on expectations, setting goals, formulating plans, crushing the goals, setting higher expectations, and so on and so forth. I am eternally grateful for every person that works in my store and I am looking forward to witnessing, firsthand, the success of your careers.
For the past five months, I have worked with an absolutely amazing team. We work our butts off every single day. And because we do, we can celebrate moments like Keela's promotion and we understand that every positive being exhibited from our store has been made possible by teamwork, not by individual efforts. You guys are phenomenal, and I am so glad to have each of you as a member of my team, but most importantly, as my friends. Good luck to you, Keela, as you begin your new journey and next step in your successful career. What makes a successful career and drives a happy life? Let's talk it out, I've got a few tips.
Do something nice for a stranger. You don't have to pay their mortgage, just hold a door open for them, smile, ask how their day is... anything. Simple positive conversations occur so seldomly that they often baffle the person that you are speaking to. Sad, but true. Take my word for it.
Make a personal goal to teach something to someone each day. In the workplace, this is an incredibly valuable expectation.
Talk to others as one human being to another human being; job titles and superiority set aside. When respect is given, respect is earned. So, ditch the condescending tone and idea that you know more than everyone around you. If you really do know more than everyone around you; reevaluate.
Smile. Life is so much better when you smile and when the people around you are happy as well.
Utilize failures as a learning experience. You cannot succeed without identifying where you went wrong when you fell short.
Acknowledge that your attitude directly impacts those around you. Positivity and negativity are both contagious. Your attitude is one of the very few elements of your life that you have full control over; choose wisely.
Stop thinking about yourself. This world doesn't revolve around you. Live by the notion that you were put on this earth to enrich the lives of others. Live this way for one day, and you will never go back to your old ways again.
Be thankful for each day. For every single task that you complete, be grateful. There are people out there that do not have the means or the skill to do the things that you continuously take for granted.
Find someone or something that inspires you and motivates you. Never let that go.
Step outside. If you don't see the potential that you have in this beautiful world, you aren't looking hard enough.
Until next week~
Here's to living in such a way that if someone spoke badly of you-- no one would believe it,
Xoxo
