Stop. What Would YOU Do?

I was in the middle of creating content for an email blast, when the phone rang. I picked it up. The voice on the other end asked for assistance. It was not an opportune moment for me to have picked up the phone, given the fact that I was trying to create content for an important email blast, but…..

Stop.

If I had said: “I can’t help you right now, I’ll call you back.” how would she have felt?

1. Not very important.
2. Thinking to herself this company doesn’t seem to value me or my work for them.
3. Thinking ‘Sure she’s SO busy she can’t help me for 15 minutes with an issue.’
4. All of the above.

I stopped.

Yes, I stopped what I was doing. I listened to the voice on the other end of the phone. I addressed her questions and concerns, AND I helped her. Right then and there.

Now, can this happen all the time? Of course not. But if we are presented with an opportunity to assist someone, even though it may not be convenient or a convenient time, it will indeed leave a lasting impression on that person. After all, we ALL want to feel important, have our voice heard and have our opinions/feelings/concerns/questions validated.

We all rush through life at a frenetic pace. Sometimes it’s just good business to stop. Stop what you’re doing. Listen to those around you. Hear what they’re saying. Absorb those thoughts. Then respond.

In fact, not only is it just good business, it’s just a good way to live life.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was so accurate with that statement. It’s a quote I keep in my back pocket and pull out anytime someone has made me feel important and heard. That quote was quite clearly ringing in my ears when the phone rang yesterday.

Stop.