For the past year of my college career I have been a cashier on campus. Prior to this job, I had only ever been a nanny, and so throughout this experience I have learned many lessons. We are all busy and rushing around all the time, but take a few minutes to read about the new perspective I have gained. My time working with and around people consistently showed me that little things make all the difference and that I have control over my mood, and I hope to pass these lessons on to you.
The first, and most important lesson I have learned is that everyone has bad days. I have them, you have them, your professors have them, and so do the cashiers you meet throughout your day. But, I have also learned that the smallest thing can turn that around, whether that be a smile, a compliment, or a small conversation. So whether youâre day is going just as planned, or everything is falling apart, be open to that smile youâre going to get or that conversation someone is going to start, because it could make a difference.
A second lesson I have learned is that people are grumpy sometimes, and that shouldnât get us down. Because people do have bad days, as lesson one pointed out, sometimes they are going to be rude or even mean. That does not mean that you should let it get to you. When you spend a lot of time around people you are bound to come across a few who are going through too much to even crack a smile, and sometimes you cannot help that. So donât let someone elseâs bad day ruin yours.
A final lesson learned from being a cashier is that my attitude can make a world of difference. Whether that be a difference in my day or a person I come across, it happens. You will not always get what you want, your days will sometimes fall apart, and some days there will be too much on your mind to smile, but donât let that impact how you treat other people. We cannot control others but we can control how we act, so make an effort to be kind to others, even if you feel like the world is being cruel to you. You never know whose day you will change because of it.
Over the past year the lessons Iâve learned are countless, but these are a few of the most important. So as you go through your day and come across other people remember first that everyone has bad days and that you can make a difference. In addition, keep in mind that people are mean sometimes but that should not impact your day, and that you can control only how you treat others so make an effort to be kind in all you do. These lessons will stick with me as I continue my college career and in the years that will follow, and it is my hope that they stick with you as well.