The summer before my freshman year in college, I worked my first “inside” job. I was a self-employed yard mower from 12-14 years old. At 15, I worked at a full-service gas station/garage. At 16 and 17, I worked for an apartment complex taking care of the grounds and pool.
Now was my chance to work inside. The People’s Bank in Minden gave me that opportunity. They moved me around to several departments but eventually trained me to be a teller. I started inside the main branch and learned the process.
But then there was that Friday that opened my eyes and made me rethink how good that Lawnboy mower was on some days!
Keep in mind, this time was an era when everyone went to the bank. ATMs and direct deposits were just getting traction.
That Friday, I opened my window in the main branch and served a few customers when the bank cashier came and told me to close my window, balance the drawer, and head to the drive through branch across the street. One of the two ladies that worked that drive-through became ill and had to go home.
I quickly closed out and made my way over there. As I crossed the street, I saw the longest line of cars I had ever seen. They were backed up down Broadway Street.
I met the cashier inside and he gave me a full money drawer! He said he would be back in two hours to replenish it. I had never gone through that much in a day and never needed replenishment. He told me it was payday, social security check day, and that lines would be long all day.
Before I started with that first customer, the lady working next to me stopped and gave me advice that I have never forgotten.
She said, “Don’t look past the one in front of you. Just wait on the current customer no matter how long the lines are. Once you put that canister in the delivery chute, you can’t get it back.”
We made it through that day. I recall finishing somewhere after 6:00 even though closing time was 5:30. We wouldn’t close until we served the last customer.
I have never forgotten her words of advice that day and have applied it to many areas of life.
- We can get so caught up in our own lives that we miss the needs of others right in front of us.
- We can get so busy pursuing accomplishments that we miss opportunities in front of us.
- In the heat of the moment, we say or do things that we soon regret. We can apologize, but we can’t pull the words back.
- We can get so consumed with the size of the task that we fail to focus on the next step.
Philippians 2:3-4 – The Apostle Paul reminds the people to not miss the opportunity in front of them. “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Where do you need to be more focused on the one in front of you?
Where do you need to slow down, not react from emotion, but rather respond with poise to ensure we avoid regret?
Doug equips leaders to make organizations better. He has two leadership books available on all online platforms. Whether you are looking for a speaker for your next event or a leadership coach to develop people and build an authentic team, contact Doug at doug.strickel@gmail.com and learn more about PLUS.
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