What Else?

Filed in archive Careers and Money , Happiness , Inspiration on July 18, 2006

Back in high school and college, I worked in a supermarket, stocking shelves, etc. Every time I passed by the deli counter, I'd hear the women (and occasional man) asking customers "What else?" No matter how many pounds of bologna and swiss cheese a customer had, the question was never "anything else?" It was always "What else?" As if the customer was just going to stand there all day buying up the store's supply of cold cuts.

I thought it was ingenious. That little difference said to the customer "I want to keep helping you and helping until you are absolutely fully satisfied that you have everything you need." Whereas "anything else?" would subtly indicate that you are ready to be finished helping the customer.

I tell you this story not because I think you want to become a better deli clerk, but because that simple phrase "what else?" can be gold for your career, your relationships and your lifetime earnings. It has implications for your success no matter what you do. The more you are asking your customers, your boyfriend, your boss "what else?" the more rewards you're going to get, moneywise and otherwise.

You can have a perfectly fine existence doing your job, playing your "assigned" role, doing what's expected, asking "anything else?" with a slight wince that shows you just want to go home. If you want fine, fine, you're set.

But if you want more than fine, you'll ask "What else?" When there's a big project that needs to be done tomorrow and everyone wants to do their part and get out, asking "what else can I do?" will win you much respect from your boss. And next time she'll be sure to trust you with greater responsibility, which down the road should lead to greater money. When your spouse asks you to help with something, do it and then ask "what else?" See if that doesn't get you some lovin' if you catch my drift.

I'll admit I haven't always followed this advice, especially when I was in my first few years out of college. At that point I was happy to be getting a salary at all, and happy to stay in my narrow job responsibilities and get out. I was still in partyland, ready to hang with my friends and girlfriend after work blowing some of my newfound wealth (relative to what I had in college at least). It probably didn't hurt me much, but it certainly didn't raise me above the level of my peers.

I'm still working toward having the "what else?" attitude in every phase of my life, and I've gotten a lot better at it. Sometimes when I finish something I even whisper it under my breath: "O.K. what else?"

One caveat here--if you're asking "what else?" left and right at work, you will get more and more responsibility, your bosses will trust you and thus lean on you harder when things get crazy. Your "what else?" nature will give you the reputation of being the one who can handle more and more.

That's fine, provided you get the recognition in the form of promotions and salary hikes. If you're not getting the rewards, though, it's time to ask "what else do I have to do to get a little cash around here?" And if they don't come through, it's time to ask "what else is out there for me?" With the experience you've earned through the greater responsibility you've taken on, you're either going to get your proper recognition where you're at, or you're going to have other employers beating down your door.

What else can I tell you?