When the clerk behind the counter spends a few extra seconds to smile, to genuinely ask how your day is going, and to offer a sincere “thank you” after you’ve paid, it changes the entire interaction from a routine, just-like-all-the-others transaction to one that actually makes you feel better about where you’re shopping. That’s a pretty good ratio of time spent to positive change created.
Students, parents, teachers, and counselors, where could we all spend a few extra seconds every day to change our interactions with each other? We’re all busy. But just a few extra seconds worth of smiles, appreciation, empathy, or acknowledgement could make a whole day or week worth of difference.
The extra seconds spent won’t eat up your day. But the benefits you’ll create will add up over time.