So I'm pretty sure that I'm not going to enjoy this job.
It's not me. I don't get excited about people getting their oil changed, their radiators flushed, etc. I am expected, however, to be very excited about this. My passion for customer service in the lube 'n' tune industry is supposed to translate into big bucks for me and my bosses. But I'm not passionate. I can be cordial, respectful, professional, but I can't possibly get excited about this. It doesn't matter whether or not I like the job because I need the job, but I can't fake enthusiasm. This may make for a very short Jiffy Lube career. That's fine by me as long as it's on my terms and I have something else to move on to, but right now... yeesh!
I've heard this before. "Be more enthusiastic." What can I do? I'm a laid-back guy. Former employers, ex-girlfriends, my parents (to name but a few) have all been confusticated by my lack of excitement, intensity, panic, passion or what have you in a myriad of situations. My lackadaisical nature has cost me employment and relationships and has driven people around me nuts. I've been accused many times of being passive aggressive and in my teenage year this was probably true. But I've never really thought of my lack of passion as a weapon, at least not an intentional one. I just don't find that a lot gets solved with intense arguing. In the words of Monty Python, "let's not bicker and argue over who killed who."
I prefer to think before I speak. In intense situations, I've always found it hard to keep up. I don't like regretting saying things that I don't mean. Therefore, I'd rather keep my mouth shut until I've had the time to think things through. I know there are situations where this isn't possible, and I suppose that these are the times I've gotten into trouble. I've never dealt well with people being angry with me. I tend to shut down instead of rising to meet the level of intensity of the angered party. This, of course, is usually viewed as me not caring or attempting to blow them off. Really, nothing could be further from the truth. I just need some time to think peacefully about the issue. But by then it's too late.
And so here I am, bored to the gills by that which feeds me. I suppose I could be excited about money, but other than its inherent necessity, I've never been excited by money. I can't hang on to a dime no matter how much I make, so money's never been something that really revs my engines. So I'm not sure about how I'll summon the enthusiasm necessary to be successful in my latest endeavor.
And I'm not sure that I care.
Well... my lips to yours.
Phil
I guess that's why they call it "work" and not "fun." You need to "show a sense of urgency." or at least fake one. I'd hate to have to "sell" crap too.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can turn this into some kind of game where you try to see how unnecessarily excited you can get the customer about getting their oil changed ("Oh man you should try the deluxe service. It is PheNOMenal. You'll LOVE it!"). Or see how many times you can slip "lube" into the conversation. That might get you more enthusiastic about talking to the customer.
ReplyDeleteYou said "I prefer to think before I speak. In intense situations, I've always found it hard to keep up. I don't like regretting saying things that I don't mean. Therefore, I'd rather keep my mouth shut until I've had the time to think things through."
ReplyDeleteI hear ya BIL- This is me to a tee. Sometimes I just wish I could think of what to say much quicker. Often by the time I think of a response the topic has changed or the situation is over.
Well, Phil, I read yesterday that Nissan Pavilion has now been changed to Jiffy Lube Live. I'm not joking, so now you can be proud to be part of the epic dynasty of Live Music that is JIFFY LUBE LIVE!!!
ReplyDelete