Donna Highfill
  • Home
  • About
    • About Donna
    • What People Are Saying
    • My Other Blogs
      • Dame Nation Blog
      • Huffington Post
  • Services
    • Power Up BUSINESS
    • Coaching
  • Books and Tools
  • Blog
    • Fave Products
  • Contact Me

Changing a Life in 10 Seconds Or Less

AndrewBlogNo commentsMay 30, 2012

He walked into the doctor’s office pushing his walker with the little tennis balls on the legs so it would move faster.

“Good Morning!” he boomed to no one in particular. Those of us with fevers and tissues avoided eye contact.

I was suddenly fascinated with my book, terrified that this happy little man would zero in on me. I’d been sitting in this office for over two hours with a high fever. Happiness was not high on my list of priorities.

He approached the nurse who favored Nurse Ratched, both in her demeanor and the grim expression cut in the stone of her face.

“Well, what a pleasant face to gaze upon,” he said with all sincerity. I saw the corners of her mouth turn up slightly, and her demeanor softened.

“I’m here for my 10:30 appointment young lady, so tell me how I can make this easiest for you,” he continued.

“Just sign in right here,” she said, “and I’ll get with you shortly.”

“Well, aren’t you the biggest help? Thank you. I will do just that,” he said in response.

His spine was slightly bent, and he shuffled towards me in a way that showed the pain of every step. My eyes were glued to the page I had read at least three times since he walked in.

“What are you in for?” he asked me.

I could avoid him no longer. “Tick bite,” I said. “For some reason I’m really allergic to them.” I looked at his cloudy eyes that still sparkled. He smiled in a way that warmed me like a cup of hot tea on a cold afternoon.

“I hope the doc helps you feel better,” he said, patting my knee. Suddenly, I wanted to pat his hand just to return the contact.

“Thank you,” I said with completely sincerity. My anxiety relaxed under his gaze. I felt like I was sitting on a front porch with my best friend instead of in a cold, dingy waiting room.

The moment I had been dreaming about for two hours finally occurred when a nurse opened the door and called my name.

“You take care, young lady,” he said.

“You too,” I responded, and we both smiled at each other.

I didn’t see him when I left the doctor’s office, but I can tell you that he changed my attitude and my day.

If you want to change someone’s day in 10 seconds or less, it’s as easy as:

  • Greeting them with energy (even if they don’t return the greeting)
  • Making eye contact
  • Smiling at them
  • Complimenting them
  • Looking for ways to make their life easier
  • Being genuinely concerned about them

The interaction between this older gentleman and me was brief, but the impact was tremendous. I know his pain was greater than mine, yet he focused on me.

And, even though it was only a moment, my spirit is  better for having known him.

Tags: behavior change, change leadership, donna highfill, featured, highfill performance group, leadership, motivation, Stories

Related Articles

Hell’s Kitchen or Extreme Weight Loss or Me?

May 28, 2015Donna Highfill

The Story of Zusia and How to Sell YOU!

June 2, 2010Andrew

You are Light, Even When You’re Grouchy

December 4, 2014Donna Highfill

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Learn How to Tell a Better Story and Achieve Success!

Sign up below to receive 48 FREE Energizing Messages.

Connect with Me

Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

Recent Posts

  • A Cab Driver Who Appeared as if from Nowhere
  • Here’s Some Honesty For You
  • Laughter is My Hero
  • A New Year in Old Clothes
  • Why I Will Face the Fall

CHECK OUT MY BOOK

highfillcover

As a leader, do you implement change only to watch the projects, processes and initiatives stall because you can’t get the people driving them to change? In my new book Real People, Real Change: Stories of a Change Warrior in the Business World I share real stories to illustrate how leaders can move people to action.

Archives

Where Donna Will Be Speaking Next

  • April 22, 2015 - SunTrust Women's Networking Group
  • April 23, 2015 - SunTrust Women's Networking Group
  • May 12, 2015 - LPGA Championship, Kingsmill, Williamsburg VA
  • May 21, 2015 - Education Association of Fundraising Professionals, Eerie, PA

Certified_hi-res

mbti_certified
huffbadge

Learn How to Tell a Better Story and Achieve Success!

Sign up below to receive 48 FREE Energizing Messages.

Recent Posts

  • A Cab Driver Who Appeared as if from Nowhere August 9, 2017
  • Here’s Some Honesty For You March 16, 2017
  • Laughter is My Hero January 10, 2017

Contact Me

804-370-6665
[email protected]
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright
  • About Donna
  • Contact Me
Copyright Donna Highfill 2014