My Bus Driver is the Best
Not a familiar statement that you hear every day and you are probably wondering what this blog is really about, but I will now explain.
It occurred to me on my way to work that during these winter months it can be all too easy to become bogged down with the winter blues. Allowing gloomy weather, stress at work and controversial news topic to slip us into a less than positive frame of mind by the time we get to our places of work.
If we take a moment to look around us, we will realise that there is always someone else out there who has a tougher job than you do. (Just check out the new TV programme ‘Undercover Boss’). Some of these employees have extremely difficult and thankless roles to perform but if they can do this with a smile on their face and positive approach then we should all be holding these employees up as shining examples for the rest of us to follow.
For example, let’s take the job of a bus driver; these men and women are often perceived as being a bit grumpy and unsociable to their passengers at times. If I am honest who can blame them, having to cope on an daily basis with people moaning and groaning all the time that the bus is late, the traffic is bad (like they can control this) and having the responsibility of safely driving people to their destinations in good and bad weather.
However, yesterday I was struck by the positive attitude that my bus driver always displays regardless of the weather being yucky, the bus being packed and the moans and groans he has surely received. He has a difficult job to perform but everyday he has a smile on his face, is happy, chatty and makes the journey for everyone as pleasant as he can.
Over the last three years he has never been any different. From a customer’s point of view, I believe he is the best driver in Wellington. I do really hope that his company and bosses recognise the difference he makes for his customers in his job and what a true star he really is.
Let’s get one thing clear, I am not advocating everyone should be bouncing around the office being the happiest and most positive employees in the world – as that would fast become annoying within the workplace.
However, when we start feeling fed up, as the weather is miserable, the traffic is bad, your hair has got messed up and you have more work than you know what to do with. Just sit back for a moment, take a deep breath and consider that there are people out there doing a far tougher job with a more positive attitude and a smile on their faces than what you may have and who is not sat in a cosy warm office.
So, if we can all start to take a leaf out of my bus driver’s book and SMILE a bit more during these dreary winter months, it will instantly make you and everyone else around you feel better – that my opinion anyway.
What are your thoughts on positive attitudes and the power of a smile in the workplace or in life?
