Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Elementary School

In retrospect, deciding to start a blog right before the start of the busiest time of the year was probably a bit over ambitious. Clearly, I failed to make the time to create new posts or to even plan ahead and have posts ready to go ahead of time. Lesson learned. Memo to me, future blog post: Time Management Tips. Second memo to me: Learn Time Management Tips.

This holiday season was busier than ever, exhausting, and I crawled my way to the finish line with more bumps and bruises. I survived, though, and that’s all that matters. As usual, it was a fun roller coaster with many ups and downs. However, even those downs had amusing moments because I was so delirious by that point. As stated on an episode of one of my all time favorite TV shows, there were times when I definitely had “gone round the bend”.

As I stumbled my way through life from Thanksgiving through the start of 2020, I could not help but notice a common theme: people seem to have forgotten some of those lessons we all learned as children. Maybe it’s because of the stress of adulting, maybe it’s a result of the increasing dependency on technology, maybe it’s just because we forget things as we get older. Whatever the reason, I thought the start of a new year was a perfect time for a gentle reminder. We are constantly telling our children these things but not practicing them ourselves. Let’s always be the example.

Lesson 1: Put things back where you found them. Don’t just leave it on an empty shelf - especially when you’re in a grocery store. If you change your mind about that chicken you picked up, don’t leave it on a shelf in the cereal aisle - #1 that’s gross; and #2 when an employee finds it, it now needs to be thrown out. Next time just take those extra steps and put it back. Less food is wasted, and you’ll get a little exercise. #WinWin

Lesson 2: Be polite. Say please and thank you. If you walk into a store and an employee greets you, say hello back. Don’t just ignore them because you’re worried they're just trying to sell you something. Be polite.

Lesson 3. Be kind to one another. Always be kind. No one likes a bully.

Lesson 4. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. Don’t make assumptions about a person based on where they work or their position. The janitor to a CEO all deserve the same amount respect. 

Lesson 5. Don’t throw things at others. Self explanatory. I didn’t think I would need to include this lesson, but it turns out I do.

Lesson 6. Don’t kill the messenger. When you’re unhappy with a policy, remember that the person standing in front of you likely did not write it, but it is their job to follow it. Yelling at a person for something they have no control over is only going to result in one thing: you ruined someone’s day for doing their job.

Lesson 7. Clean up! Clean up! Everybody clean up! Is the item you want hanging at the back and you have to take off five items to get to it? It happens. When you get what you want, hang the others back up. Tried on a jacket? Turn it right side out and hang it back up. Unfolded a shirt to see the image? Fold it back up and put it on the pile. This is not just about being courteous to the employees, but also being courteous to your fellow shoppers. Ever walk into a store and feel overwhelmed by the mess, so you walk out? Clean up, it only takes a moment.

Lesson 8. Pay attention and listen to the person speaking to you. A pet peeve I have had for years is people talking on a cell phone when at the checkout counter. First of all, that’s disrespectful to the person currently assisting you, and second, half the time that person slows down the line because they’re so engrossed in their phone conversation that the cashier has to repeat themselves. It really only takes a couple minutes, put the phone down. You’ll survive. I promise.

Lesson 9. Smile. It’ll cheer you up and brighten someone’s day. See a worker without a smile, don’t call them out on it, smile at them. They could be having a rough day, and your smile will cheer them up.

Lesson 10. Never forget the Golden Rule. Treat others how you would want to be treated. 

Bonus Lesson. Just Dance.

I strive everyday to live by these lessons and be this person. Some days I’m better at it than others. I always try, though. Believe me, if everyone tries, this crazy world we are all living in will shine brighter. 

Let me know your thoughts below. Any lessons you would add? 

Thanks for reading! Make it a great day!

***The thoughts and opinions in this post are only the thoughts and opinions of me. They are not to represent to the thoughts and opinions of anyone who may be associated with me.***