What’s dipping into your Bucket?

While giving without expecting anything in return is the best way to fill someone’s bucket, there are also forces that can dip into that reservoir. Think about the last interaction you had with a coworker, friend, or manager.

Is there a chance that you:

• Responded sarcastically?

• Checked your phone while they shared a vulnerable story?

• Blamed someone else rather than taking ownership?

These are ways we dip into another’s bucket. 

If you find outside factors, like stress, impacting your attitude, check in with your own buckets.
What have you been neglecting that could use some balance?

A Drop in the Bucket

You might have heard of it in Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton’s book, How Full is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work and Life. And it’s true: We work better when our buckets are full.

How do we fill them? Put a drop in someone else’s bucket. A little good deed a day can go a very long way.

• Point out something positive that someone on your team did that day.

• Offer an honest compliment.

• Share a smile.

• Help someone out on a small task that makes their life a bit easier.

• Offer an ear, give someone your full attention and listen without distraction.

• Give unexpectedly, and without being asked.

How did you put a drop in someone’s bucket today?

They're in distress, so come to their rescue

When a customer is angry, raises their voice, or chooses to use you as their punching bag, it can be easy to take it as a personal attack and shut down, become defensive, or just plain mad.

The good news is, it’s never really about you. Instead of creating a story in your head where you’re the villain, decide to be the hero and come to the rescue!

• Listen, acknowledge their concern, and offer comfort.

• Identify the root of the problem and pull out all the stops! Do everything you can to turn the situation around.

How have you flipped the script? Tell us about your happy ending at ann@wardcertified.com.

Can't take it anymore? Then give.

Ever had a tough day or week, and you’re just waiting for something good to happen? Psst… you don’t have to wait, create the moment!

If you feel you’re missing some positivity, warmth, or friendliness in your life, then give it. You’ll likely make someone else feel better, too, and boom - let the endorphins flow! 

Email the team a motivational quote, offer to help a co-worker through a new process, or leave an encouraging post-it on the desk of a stressed team member. (Chocolate always works, too).

Smile, Breathe, and Care on. You got this!

Super Bowl Monday

Whether you’re happy or sad today, don’t forget to give your customers the positivity they deserve.

Need a boost? Try some of these jokes:

Q: What did the cell say to his sister cell when she stepped on his toe?

A: Ah! Mitosis!

Q: Have you ever stood outside in a thunderstorm?

A: It was enlightening…

Share these puns with your team and rock on this week!

Happy Monday,
Team Ward Certified

Rein them in, Partner!

Detouring from the script and getting lost in conversation with a customer happens, and is sometimes even essential to creating a friendly interaction. But what happens when minutes have passed, and your other waiting customers start huffing and tapping their feet?

Be a master navigator to get back on track. Wait for a pause in the conversation and try something like:  

“Thank you, I needed a happy distraction today. Now, how may I help you?”

 Or

“I could talk about this all day, but I won’t take up any more of your time. How can I assist you?”

Smile, Breathe, and Rock on. You got this!

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said...

“Real appreciation must flow from the deep seas of the heart.“

Today, remember to take a moment to appreciate the work others have done before you, so that you can do what’s in front of you today.

Happy MLK Day from Team Ward Certified.