I was at the local supermarket, waiting in line at the deli, when I had an epiphany. The line was so long for the deli counter that I figured, “Hey. Why not use the ordering kiosk next to the counter and come back and get my order later.”
As I started fooling around with the kiosk, a woman came up behind me and said, “Does this thing work?”
To which I replied, “I have no idea.” We laughed.
And I didn’t have an idea. Not really, anyway. I had seen people picking up their “eDeli” orders in the past, I just had always done things the “old-fashioned way.”
But, with a lot going on later that day, and with a deli line that seemed way too long, I figured the worst that could happen was I would just have to get on the deli line at the end of my shopping trip, rather than at the start.
So, I fiddled around a bit, eventually figured out how to place my order, and hoped that it would work out.
I went about my business and finished my shopping trip and headed back to the deli counter. When I arrived, my deli order hadn’t been completed.
And it hadn’t been finished five minutes later. I began to think that the thing didn’t work. And then, one of the deli staff members brought my order out, and put it in the proper order slot. I took it and was on my way.
Taking risks and trying new things is really the only way we can expand our boundaries. And sometimes, the smallest risks, like ordering deli meat from a kiosk, are ones we avoid because we are concerned with what may happen (or not). And yet, they are perfect examples of the fear of risk that we all face, and just as importantly serve to showcase why we need to be more regular risk-takers, and be more comfortable if the end results are not what we wanted.
As I was paying for my groceries, I ran into the woman who asked me if the kiosk actually worked. When I told her it did, we both laughed, and she said, “Hmm. Well, that’s a win.” And she was right. But, it wasn’t just a win for me. I imagine it was also a win for her, as now she is armed with the knowledge that the next time she is in a hurry, she has an option other than waiting “the old-fashioned way.”