Lessons Learned (Part 7)
While I was at the end of my time with the supplement store, my good buddy invited me to work at a rental company that he managed. It was the first time I had to sit down with people and go over a contract. This was intimidating to me, because I was not one to read through a list of boring legal statements. However, I did learn how to do it whether I liked it or not.
The one thing I learned there more than anything else is how to move furniture. We did that a lot. We were either picking up furniture from people who didn’t want it or couldn’t afford it. A lot of furniture was delivered too. I learned how to balance, turn, angle, flip, and lift a lot of different types of furniture. It was not easy work. There were many times I remember carrying sleeper sofas up three flights of stairs with a coworker. Other times it was an entertainment center that was fully loaded with a television, speakers and a receiver built in. Those might have been the worst, with having to carry them up multiple flights of stairs. I remember how every corner and wall felt like a game winning shot was on the line. We had to try to not put holes in walls or tear any of the furniture pieces. It wasn’t easy, but it was quite the feat when we accomplished it. It definitely kept my muscles in shape.
There was one particular memory that strangely stands out to me. I remember the district manager coming by one time and saying something about me not really needing this job and acting like I just worked there for the money. It came off like I didn’t need the job or even really like it. I didn’t really speak up, because I wasn’t for sure what he was getting at. Well, come to find out that someone mentioned another employee not doing their job well and he thought it was me. Next thing I knew I was being sent to a store 30 more miles from my home and in a neighborhood that wasn’t good. I learned to get along with the team there, but I was definitely out of my element and didn’t fit it.
Now, I speak up when people misrepresent what I am saying or who they think I am. I go about it in a polite and nonconfrontational manner. I find that when I drop the sound of my voice and make it more soothing, that people take the time to listen and calm down at the same time. I don’t need to take the alpha position through raising my voice or making elaborate body motions. The fact that I am speaking directly to them in a sincere manner usually gets my point across and helps them understand my view.
While at this other location, a funny thought came to my mind. One day I was out on the road, by myself, delivering something small to a customer and I saw some people walking. My next thought was that they were naked, and I was thinking about how people would be craning their necks to see these people walking down the sidewalk. While having this daydream I didn’t realize that the light I was heading towards had turned red. I was too close to stop and had to keep going. The cross traffic had already started going and Someone up above must have been looking down on me at this very dangerous moment and decided to part the traffic long enough for me to go through the light and in-between the cars without hitting one. To this day, I still can’t believe I didn’t hit one vehicle when I flew through that red light. God was watching out for more than just me. A lot of people could have been badly injured or worse. This was before cell phones could be used to text and watch videos. Just think how many accidents happen today because of the technology that people get caught up in, much less the dumb daydreaming that goes on!
Another reality that I learned was that people lie. They lie a lot. I came to this realization when I was in charge of calling people who hadn’t paid their weekly payment on the property they rented. I would call people, daily and listen to them tell me one lie after another. Some would pretend to be someone else. They weren’t the best actors that is for sure. It did give me a whole new respect for police and what they go through on a daily basis with people.
And the last thing I will never forget is to never rent furniture that is not brand new out of the plastic wrap. You never know who was on it. Whether they were wearing clothes or not. And what was done on it. There were too many times where we would pick up furniture with bugs, stains and rips all over it. Absolutely turned me off from ever wanting to rent anything ever again!
Life Lesson:
Speak up for yourself when others misrepresent you.
Remember that there is a time for daydreaming and when you are driving is NOT one of those times!
Brad Rhame 