A few years ago, I was giving a pep talk to a young
man who was under my management for a while. He was about to start a new job on
the till in the shop in Norwich’s train station, and he expressed concern that
he’d find the job boring and uninspiring. My first response was to remind him
that he’s still in the inception of his work life, and he should expect to have
to grow with humility, and hone his skills and talents as he acquires
experience in various roles. But then I helped him see just how much intrinsic
potential there is, even in a job like that, where he is at the bottom rung of
his career ladder. I can’t quote what I said verbatim, but it went something
like this.
Even a job like working the till at a train station - which might seem mundane at first glance - holds huge potential for your personal development, and you can really make the most out of this in ways that few people ever consider in these types of role. Even a job like that, it’s a great privilege and a fantastic opportunity to develop yourself beyond what you can currently imagine. Every customer interaction is a chance to sharpen emotional intelligence, to practice empathy, and to become someone who can read people quickly and respond with thoughtfulness.
In turning up each day and being the most excellent shop assistant you can be (and that won’t be as easy as you think), you can turn routine transactions into moments of real connection, into mastering excellence in every element of the role, and into significant personal development. That ability will set you apart, not just here but for the rest of your career. Furthermore, this job gives you a live environment to train your inner standards - how punctual you are, how precise, how kind, how composed under pressure, the lot. You’re not just working a till; you’re learning to be the kind of person others want to work with, promote, and follow. If you want to excel in life, a key part of vocational development is to bring your full self to even the smallest task – and there is way more potential growth even in the so-called mundane jobs that few tap into.
To conclude the story, I think he only lasted a few weeks in that role. Some people are just deaf to inspirational wisdom. 😃
But for some in a similar position, I think it’s a prudent approach to take to a role that might seem small on the surface, but that you can turn into a powerful training ground for growth of character, discipline, and long-term success.
