Actually Adrianne

Just me. Literally.

[actuallyadrianne]

Confessions of a Customer Service Associate #1

“I hate it when people come up to the counter before I call them. “

Ok so it may seem like a small thing to you, but on my end its kinda big deal. there are several reason why I in my lowly CSA state feel these are valid.  

1* I’m just not ready you yet because I’m actually finishing up the last transaction.

If you in fact come up to to the counter and I’m not ready for you yet, you may very well miss the opportunity for another associate who is available to help you because they WILL call for another customer. And then you’ll end up getting mad at both of us cause you’re still waiting while the guy behind you was polite enough to wait to be called, is already done with his return and skipping happily off to buy whatever other crap he probably doesn’t actually need. 

2* I may be counting money

And Lord know I don’t need you rolling all up on me with a stack of green bills in my hand! You trying to get taken down by the AP! But seriously,just because it looks like I’m just standing there staring at the floor (and why would I do that?!) chances are I’m counting the money my manager just handed me, which I am required to do. So back up JACK!.... or JANE!

3* I may be waiting for a transaction to clear from my screen

Kinda goes along with point 1 except usually this one involves a customer who has forgotten their receipt, forgotten their ID, or,”just wanted to know how much this untagged pot holder that I found in the clearance aisle form Easter” (which was eight months ago) is. Seriously. When this happens, I have to abort the transaction, which has to be taken care of by a supervisor. So no, I’m not just standing there staring at my screen hoping to melt it with my laser vision (HA!) I’m actually waiting for it to clear so that I can happily help you with you return of worn and sweaty underwear that “just didn’t fit right”. Yeah.....

4* I may be about to go on BREAK!!! (YEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!)

That’s right folks, I have to take a break. And not just because I’ve been standing here 3 hours straight listening to every excuse under the sun of why this needs to be returned, (seriously who do you think would actually believe that you decided to return a TV just on the basis of “I didn’t like the way you guys  loaded it into my car”. But that’s a story for another day.)Yes, believe it or not I am actually required to take a break every 3 hours, preferably sooner, but 3 is the magic number. So yes, I DO see that the line is wrapped around to the door, but you walking up to my counter as I prepare to leave ain’t gonna stop me! I got a fruit punch Snapple calling my name and neither you or the lady returning the used blender with the banana smoothie still in it are gonna keep me from it!

All this to say, I really do love my job, I work with some awesome people and managers and I really do love most of my customers. A lot of them are good people with their own stories to tell. And as a CSA I try to remember that, that we’re all dealing with our own stuff and if I can make this one thing a little easier for you, then I’m gonna do my best. 

[actuallyadrianne]

Hi my name is adrianne...

And today will be better….

Better because i choose to believe the best.

Better because i set my eyes on above and not on my surroundings.

Better because He works for me and not against me.

Better because today I CHOOSE to take back what was mine all along.

Better because I have friends and family who will not let me fail.

Better because He who began a good work in me is faithful to bring that work to completion.

Better because my past may be part of who I am but does not define who I am.

Better because I chose to embrace the change and go with His flow.

Better because I no longer live for self.

Better because I am stronger than that which tries to break me down.

Better because my future is worth this present trouble.

Better because it will be an amazing story to tell.

Better because to lay down and let life pass me by is not an option.

Better because all that I desire in this life will not come by good feelings alone.

Better because this is life is mine to make it what I will.

[actuallyadrianne]

In keeping with my last post. :)

[actuallyadrianne]

Fall or Fly???

Sooooo... Last Friday I had my FIRST EVER recital performance. Now I've been singing since I was 6. So singing on a stage is no new thing to me. However, singing a Negro spiritual with a live (and pretty amazing) accompanist, in the classical singing style, in front of my peers and contemporaries, most of which had be doing this for at least 5 times long than me, while my vocal teacher and others watched on... yeah, I was about to poop my pants.  As I walked up to start my piece, I shot up a quick prayer, took a huge breath and broke into the spiritual with all the bounce and soul I could muster under the pressure. And in the end, I didn't die. I didn't faint. The piano did not blow up. I actually did... good. I did good. However incorrect the syntax of the sentence is, you know what I mean. Why is it we so often doubt ourselves? What gives us the impression that we can't do something? That if we put ourselves out there we are doomed to failure? What have we allowed to convince us that we cannot succeed and overwhelmingly doubt our abilities? Whatever it is, it's time to shut it out. I can't tell you how many times, I have taken a chance on something, only to find out that I was more than able. It's almost as if I was made for it. How is that possible?

He holds success in store for the upright,....

        -Proverbs 2:7, NIV

Well there you go. God created me for success. So it should never come as any surprise when I do succeed. I WAS MADE FOR THIS! More specifically, I was made to sing and sing well. I was made to succeed in my academics and in my personal life. The stipulation? ... "for the upright". I do what I am called to do, be who I am CALLED to be. According to His plans and His will. As long as I follow that, I am destined for success. That doesn't mean that there won't be bumps, re-routs, u-turns, and flat out stalls. But it does mean that it all has a purpose. And I also have to remember that God's version of success is a vastly different than what this world believes success to be.   With that in mind, I'm challenging myself to think more of the abilities that God has placed within me. Think of the things that could be accomplished rather that what all could go wrong After all, I was made for this.

[actuallyadrianne]

Why the name?

Actually -used to refer to what is true or real

Adrianne - The mess, both aggravating and beautiful

Hmmm.... How philosophical of me.