Yesterday I checked in at a reception desk. The woman was kind, efficient and things were fine. I probably wouldn’t even reflect at all on the experience, but I happened to look down at her desk area, and saw, what I guess was a company reminder for employees. I snuck a picture.
EYE CONTACT
SMILE
POSTURE
TONE OF VOICE
EXPLAIN
Suddenly I was evaluating this woman. She had made eye contact, I think she had smiled (Was she supposed to smile the whole time? That would be ridiculous right?) Her posture seemed fine by me. (Is it appropriate for a company to insist on a certain posture?) Her tone of voice was friendly… She hadn’t needed to explain anything. (Should she have?)
Suddenly, I had a lot of questions. Have they always had these reminders? If it is a new initiative, have all previous interactions been less friendly? I don’t think so. If it isn’t new, does that mean all these years, their friendly interactions have been forced by company policy? Yikes!
Would my reminder card be the same?
EYE CONTACT
SMILE
POSTURE
TONE OF VOICE
EXPLAIN
I don’t think I need to be reminded to smile.
I would take it off, but I know my mom would want “posture” to stay on the list.
I might add a reminder to listen.
Perhaps a reminder to dampen the sarcasm a bit. (I refuse to say “no sarcasm.” Duh.)
Oh, and I need a reminder to drink more water.
My daily reminder card:
LISTEN
EYE CONTACT
POSTURE
DAMPEN SARCASM
MORE WATER
What would your daily reminder card say?
On a Thought 
Perfect small moment, capturing that sign and your thoughts veering off from it. I like how you repeat in bold the sign and then your own reminder list, also in bold. Your reminders seemed honest. I’m not sure why, but “Dampen sarcasm/More water strikes me as funny. Now I am considering your good question…
Thanks! Yea… I should double bold those: dampen sarcasm/more water….I really need both reminders!
I am shocked by the fact these traits do not come natural and have to be taught and practiced well past an age they should have been. Regardless, I like the sense of humor in creating my own list…
You had me wondering how you got the photo. I find myself noticing in public during March and wanting a photo but hesitant about taking it. I would probably have Smile, Posture, More Water and Let It Go on my sign.
Ha! yea… I had to sneaky style just look at my phone while she was looking at her computer…
Let it go is a good one… I need to add that.
I love how you asked a question at the end! Now you really have me thinking about my daily reminders. I am thinking: let it go, take a deep breath, laugh a little, and drink more water!