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Email a FriendPosted by Tracyl on Friday, Mar 5, 2010 7:29 PM (EDT):
Actually Lisa, You made my day by allowing me to feel ‘helpful’ to you in some way. Thanks!
Casual Fridays - Above and Beyond
Do you go the extra mile in your work?
Posted by Lisa Hendey in Just me on Friday, March 05, 2010 12:00 PM
I want to send a special hank you to Daniel, the twenty-something year old miracle worker who inspired this week’s installment of Casual Fridays. Honestly, sometimes one of the most difficult parts of blogging is coming up with good ideas. It’s always amazing to me how the Holy Spirit sends me people like Daniel when I’m feeling most “brain dead” and uninspired…coincidence? I think not.
Yesterday, my mom and I were running errands to prepare for the big “Book Launch” party we are having tomorrow to celebrate The Handbook for Catholic Moms. In truth, the preps have been dragging me down a bit - in some ways the party feels more like a chore than a celebration (but that’s fodder for another post!). We found ourselves in a local Michael’s looking to have a mat cut for one of my book posters. My idea was to mat the poster and then invite my guests to sign it in guest book fashion as a reminder of the celebration. Of course, I’d waited until the last moment to implement this idea I’d been pondering for a month.
Then along came Daniel who said, “I have good news, and I have bad news - which do you want first?”. The good news, my idea would only cost me $7. The bad news - he couldn’t have the mat ready until next week. Too late for Saturday’s party.
Just as we were brainstorming a backup plan, Daniel came to the rescue, saying, “I’m going to ask my manager if he can do this today for you. Maybe if you sweet talk him he’ll do it!”
Being used to a general lack of good customer service lately, I had my doubts. But Daniel did all of the sweet talking. Rick, the manager, announced he’d only need fifteen minutes to do the job. They sent us off to browse the store.
Smiling, we headed off to pick up a few other items. Not five minutes later, Daniel came and found me. Customized mat in hand, he smiled and asked me what I else I was looking for. I told him the next hard-to-find item on my list and he said, “Follow me!”
Five minutes later, with my mat in hand and a smile on my face, I remarked to my mom how one person doing their job with care and compassion could make such a big difference in a customer’s attitude. Honestly, I’ve always dreaded my trips to Michael’s, but I’m now a customer for life. All because of Daniel, and the time and effort he took to go above and beyond.
When was the last time you went “the extra mile” in your work? Whether you work in the home or outside of it, are there ways to put a little more care and energy into your service of others today? Can better serving those around you be a part of your overall spiritual life? When was the last time someone surprised you with great customer service?
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Posted by Erika Marie on Friday, Mar 5, 2010 11:32 PM (EDT):
sounds like God sent you an angel! 
Congratulations on your book party! I just received mine in the mail and have made it to the first sentence.
I am often amazed at the lack of good customer service, and especially in the state things are in now - but as I read your question I wondered how well I could answer your question! I have done a few things this week that popped into my mind but if I am honest I know I have also been short with people when I should have been kinder!
Thanks for the reminder that if I complain I should be sure I am not part of the problem!
Posted by G. on Saturday, Mar 6, 2010 4:20 AM (EDT):
Today, actually, I went the extra mile. I’m a high school teacher, and a student who came in to talk about her essay at lunch suddenly started sobbing. I took her to a private place where we could talk and let her cry without others seeing. She was going through some really difficult social issues and feeling very isolated. My heart ached for her and I hoped—hope—that it helped her to talk and share this with someone, even though she clearly hadn’t come in intending to spill her soul to her teacher. We talked for a long time and I gave her a big hug.
I kept thinking of the prayer of Father Mychal Judge, the fire chaplain who was killed on 9/11 (one of my heroes): “Lord, take me where you want me to go; let me meet who you want me to meet; tell me what you want me to say; and keep me out of Your way.” It was clearly one of those moments.
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