What Does Your Badge Say?©

Last year I was shopping in an office supply store.  I stepped up to the check-out counter when it was my turn to pay.  The clerk behind the cash register was wearing a name badge that said, “Dane.”  And below his name read, “In Training.”

I said, “Dane, how’s your training going?”  He stopped.  He looked to his left.  He looked to his right.  Then he leaned into me and said, “I’m not actually in training anymore.” 

I started laughing!  “What?!,” I said.  “Then why are you wearing a badge that says, “In Training?!”  Here’s what he said:  “When I was in training I learned a lot more, and people were friendlier to me.” 

As I left the store and slowly walked out to my car I thought, “He’s right.  You do learn more and people are friendlier to you when you’re in training.”  Here’s why.

When you declare to the world that you are in training and that you want to learn, you become a student.  And when you tell the world that you are a student, people want to help you.  They want to teach you.  You are essentially telling other people that they have strengths, knowledge, skills, and experience that you believe are valuable and that you appreciate. 

So now I think of Dane when I catch myself acting as if I “know” something.  Rather than prove what I know to everyone, I listen and try to see what I can learn. 

People want to help people who want to learn.  So now I say to myself when I head out from home, “David, are you wearing your ‘In Training’ badge today?”

How about you?  What does your badge say?

Comments

[David J. Pollay]

Hi Cari,

What a beautiful badge you wear!

And the key is that we consciously put our badges on every day; we don’t take things for granted.

I hope you had a beautiful Mother’s Day in Australia with your wonderful family!

Hugs,
David

[Cari]

Hi Dave! I hope my badge says ""Cari" - she loves the Lord, loves her family and tries her best." That is our family motto, and I am trying to learn to share it with someone new every day. I like yours "Enjoy every day. Do what you love. Make a difference." It is easier said than done, but if we try to follow your precepts for living then it becomes quite a bit easier. What did my badge say 10 years ago? What will it say 10 years from now? What do I want it to say? Hmmm...points to ponder on Mother's Day (in Oz). God Bless!