By Mike Johnson
Greg Maisel was a genius.
He was also a 16-year-old cashier at McDonald's. Working with him at the fast food restaurant across from our high school, I didn't immediately recognize him for what he was. That should have been the first clue that he was special, but instead I found it strange.
Greg had an odd habit. While the rest of the crew walked to fill customer's orders, Greg ran. This simple, extra effort, soon proved him a very valuable commodity.
Since he got more work done than anyone else on the crew, everyone wanted him. If you were a customer, you wanted to be in his line. If you were a co-worker, you wanted him working right next to you. If you were a manager, you wanted him on your shift.
Greg's genius did not go unrewarded. He was scheduled to work the most hours. He was scheduled to work the best hours. He was given the days off he requested. Better yet, he earned the largest raises. All for running, while everyone else walked. Greg Maisel was a genius because he understood that classic truth - you reap what you sow.
To reap any rewards at work or in life, we must first put out our portion. Greg understood that to receive superior rewards, he needed to provide superior efforts, a simple formula that is made easier by the fact that so few people put out that extra push.
Whether he recognized it or not, Greg's habit of running added the additional benefit of compressing time. While it took the rest of us six months to earn a raise, Greg was doing it in one. While it took other kids weeks to make an impression on management, Greg had done it in his first five minutes. Greg made himself valuable to McDonald's by first becoming their most valuable employee. From that point on, Greg called the shots at work - and if he recognized his own genius - in life.
Running is merely an example of doing more than is expected. The greater your service, the greater your rewards. The universe works that way. I'm not sure Greg realized that consciously, but he certainly understood it subconsciously.
The world has a severe shortage of Greg Maisels, creating unlimited opportunities for the rest of us. In fact, I'll guarantee there's a shortage of Greg's type of genius right where you're working now. If your boss is like most, he or she is just dying to find a Greg Maisel to help shoulder the burden.
What are you waiting for?
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More:
Shortly after my experiences with Greg, my dad transferred our family 1,800 miles south to Florida. I went to work for McDonald's in St Petersburg. Guess who became the Greg Maisel there? Sure enough, by becoming a "runner," I received the best hours, highest raises and fastest promotions. I really impressed Fred, an upcoming assistant manager at the restaurant.
Two years later I left McDonald's to move back to Minnesota.
This was a horrible decision, which led to a miserable year. Fortunately, this was only needed to calibrate a better destiny.
Fred was promoted and transferred to Ft Myers, Florida to oversee two existing McDonald's and open three new ones. He needed assistant managers badly. Luckily he called me.
On my first night there, Fred took me to one of the stores for supper. A beautiful, vivacious brunette took my order and physically ran to pick up my food. She was a runner too!
Gobsmacked, the best I could mutter was "I'm impressed."
Somehow, she was too. I woke up next to Margie this morning.
All because of "running."
Gain the full story here: The Lost Wallet Stuffed With Cash
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Mike Johnson is an energetic writer & entrepreneur. Learn more about Mike's offerings at WorldsBestWriter.com