Do yourself a favour – look up from that screen

So there I was, feeling a little sorry for myself because this week is a series of 05:00 alarm calls and 22:00 hotel arrivals, dashing up and down the country to meet clients and speak at 3 conferences.

Then I asked yesterday evening’s cab driver (from The Village Hotel in Morley, Leeds to Dewsbury station) to tell me a little bit about his life story.

Having qualified in chemistry in Pakistan, he tried a series of jobs in fast food and on a market stall before securing a low-level position in the chemical industry in the UK. His intention was to work his way up.

Then his wife, who suffers from diabetes, lost her sight.

Driving a cab allows him to look after her (he works 2-hour shifts and then returns home for an hour) and also be home-maker, organiser and transport for their three daughters.

He told me this because I asked him – otherwise, he would just have been another cabbie.

Everyone has a back-story – including everyone you will meet today.

Stop looking at your screen.

Look up – and ask.

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Chris Barrow

Chris Barrow has been active as a consultant, trainer and coach to the UK dental profession for over 20 years. As a writer, his blog enjoys a strong following and he is a regular contributor to the dental press. Naturally direct, assertive and determined, he has the ability to reach conclusions quickly, as well as the sharp reflexes and lightness of touch to innovate, change tack and push boundaries. In 2014 he appeared as a “castaway” in the first season of the popular reality TV show “The Island with Bear Grylls”. His main professional focus is as Coach Barrow, providing coaching and mentorship to independent dentistry.

2 thoughts on “Do yourself a favour – look up from that screen”

  1. As a former nurse Regina used to say (and probably still does although we’re working in different places now) “you never know what goes on in other people’s lives”.

    Good luck at BOC

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