As anyone who’s worked in a customer service position will tell you, staying motivated isn’t always easy.
Most of your interactions are with people who aren’t in the best of moods. Maybe the customer has a problem that there’s no immediate solution to and you have to tell them the bad news. Perhaps they had a negative experience and feel the need to take it out on others. Some people are just downright rude.
But no matter how you’re treated by those you’re trying to help you have to do your job with a smile on your face and a friendly demeanor. That’s no small feat, especially when conversations turn sour, and you start feeling down.
Unfortunately, your only option is to find a way forward and handle the difficulties in a healthy manner. The last thing you want is to see your workplace as a toxic environment.
The good news is that there are many ways to escape the cycle of negativity and stay motivated no matter what. One tried-and-true solution that has helped many a customer service rep is to read up on some inspiring quotes from those who have faced the worst and prevailed.
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ToggleCustomer Service Quotes
- “To give real service, you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.” – Don Alden Adams.
That last word is particularly important for customer service. To have integrity is to be honest and maintain a strong sense of morality. Ensuring that your actions are always in keeping with your words prevents a great deal of weight from burdening your shoulders, which is one less thing to stress about.
- “To listen closely and reply well is the highest perfection we are able to attain in the art of conversation.” – François de La Rochefoucauld.
Hearing and understanding the customer is key to resolving their problem efficiently. No less important is being able to provide a response that gives them confidence in your ability to help.
- “Happiness is a by-product of an effort to make someone else happy.” – Gretta Palmer.
Positivity is contagious. Being in a good mood not only makes you and the customer happy but everyone around you as well. You’re essentially creating a better work environment for yourself.
- “Courteous treatment will make a customer a walking advertisement.” – James Cash Penney.
Satisfied customers come back and only have good things to say about your business. Make enough of those, and your manager will certainly notice.
- “Whatever you are, be a good one.” – Abraham Lincoln.
Even if you aren’t entirely content with your current situation, it will be infinitely better when you decide to make the most of it. Being the best at what you do is the first step towards a higher place.
- “To give without any reward, or any notice, has a special quality of its own.” – Anne Morrow Lindeberg.
Customer service is often a thankless job, but that’s part of what makes it so rewarding and fulfilling.
- “Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” – Blaise Pascal.
Showing kindness to another person isn’t easy when they’re sending profanities your way, but it achieves far more than bringing yourself down to their level.
- “When you help others feel important, you help yourself feel important too.” – David J. Schwartz.
The importance of what you do can only resonate with you when you do it the way it’s meant to be done.
Staying Motivated
Let’s end things off by taking a look at some other ways to keep your morale up during tough times.
Write it Down:
This is best done with traditional pen and paper, as writing is in and of itself a therapeutic process. Consider picking up a diary to note down your thoughts and feelings. What happened? Is there anything you could have done to change the situation? If so, why didn’t you do it? Can you change something in the future? Maybe.
Talk to Someone:
It might seem obvious, but pulling a colleague or friend aside for a quick chat can really help. Grab a coffee during lunch or after work and discuss your woes. It’s a good idea to do this with someone outside of your office, as your emotions could otherwise prove contagious. Your supervisor likely has some words of wisdom to share on the matter.
Step Away:
At least, as much as you can without getting fired – whether that’s heading outside or walking to the coffee machine. Pick up a snack and something to drink. Just stay away from sugar, as it’ll have you feeling worse when the high recedes. Disengage for a few minutes, do a round of deep breathing, and take the longest way back to your desk.
Remember the Why:
The importance of your work should never be forgotten. What you’re doing – which is making a difference in countless people’s lives – certainly matters, and keeping that on top of mind can help you get through difficult situations. Perhaps you can compile a few memorable customer stories or motivational pictures to resort to when you need them.
Play Some Music:
Many customer service pros have a “power playlist” to keep them moving through the day at a steady pace. If you fancy the idea, consider bringing a pair of headphones along to work and listen to your favorite tunes when you don’t have calls to deal with. Almost every major music streaming app has plenty of curated playlists focused on motivation.
Meditate:
A few minutes of mindfulness can make all the difference. If you’re unfamiliar with meditation practice, you can download an app like Headspace or Aura to get some guidance. At the end of the day, it’s as simple as breathing deeply and letting your thoughts flow instead of trying to control them. Focus on the now, and stress will be no more.
Educating, empowering, and assisting others is a most commendable job. Remember the importance of what you do and never let a bad interaction get you down.