There are some people who spend their entire lives working with an attitude not unlike Snoopy, the cherished “Peanuts” cartoon character. Snoopy sat droopy-eyed at the entrance of his doghouse lamenting, “Yesterday I was a dog. Today I’m a dog. Tomorrow I’ll probably still be a dog. SIGH. There’s so little hope for advancement.”

I view career advancement as a vital aspect of professional life. It is not just about climbing the corporate ladder or getting a bigger paycheck, although those can be nice perks. It is about personal growth, expanding your skills and increasing your ability to contribute to your organization and society.

I strongly believe in the power of education and self-improvement. Continuously learning and adapting is essential for career advancement. Stay current with industry trends and expand your knowledge base.

Work on improving areas where you’re lacking and leveraging your strengths. Find ways to increase your efficiency without sacrificing quality. Focus your energy on tasks that have the most significant impact on your goals.

Let your excitement for your work shine through. It can lead to more opportunities and inspire those around you. If your enthusiasm is waning, seek out new challenges or projects that can reignite your passion.

Actively pursue opportunities to learn new skills or improve existing ones, whether through formal education or on-the-job training.

Be a good communicator by improving your writing and speaking skills. Clear and effective writing is essential in most professions. Enhance your public speaking skills to better articulate your ideas and gain confidence.

Consistently delivering high-quality work is crucial in building trust. Your reputation is built one task at a time. Follow through on your commitments and ensure tasks are completed to the best of your ability. Make sure your efforts are visible to those who make decisions about promotions and career opportunities.

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs said: “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.”

Setbacks are part of the career journey. Learn from them. Maintaining a positive attitude can help you see opportunities for growth in the face of adversity.

Be resourceful. Be proactive in seeking out the information you need to succeed.

Cultivate a network of professional contacts. Every new connection is a potential opportunity. These relationships can provide support and advice as well. Seek mentors who can offer insights based on their experiences. Be open to mentoring others.

Regularly ask for feedback on your performance and pay attention. Anticipate the needs of your department and address them before being asked. Always aim to provide solutions, not just identify problems.

Establish clear, achievable goals for both the near future and down the road. Keep track of your progress toward your goals and adjust your strategies as needed.

Embrace change in this dynamic business world, a key component of career advancement. Look for ways to innovate. This can set you apart from your peers and show your value to the organization.

Career advancement is not just a goal; it is a journey that involves hard work, strategic thinking and a commitment to excellence. It is about finding ways to add value, improve processes and make a difference in your workplace and beyond.

Don’t be like Snoopy. Career advancement is a marathon, not a sprint. Prepare for the long run with continuous learning and relationship building.

Mackay’s Moral: To climb the career ladder, don’t just step up; build the rungs by improving yourself every day.

Nordstrom department store built its legendary customer service reputation on the story of a man who returned a set of tires to a store and received a refund, even though Nordstrom doesn’t actually sell tires.

True or not? According to Nordstrom’s own podcast, “The Nordy Pod,” it is not just a myth. Podcast host Pete Nordstrom did some research and found that 40 years ago, a customer in Fairbanks, Alaska, did come in and return a set of tires. An associate checked and found that Nordstrom had recently purchased three stores from a local company that did sell tires.

Although Nordstrom had revamped the stores and eliminated tire sales, the associate decided to honor the stores’ terms. After all, the customer had driven 50 miles for his refund. So the associate called some local tire stores to come up with an estimate of the tires’ value and gave the customer his refund.

You can’t put a price on such a good customer service reputation.

Now, compare that to the salesclerk who was giving change to a customer one day and mumbled something.

The customer said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear what you said.”

The clerk snapped back, “I said, 'Have a great day.' What are you, deaf or something?”

Ouch! That customer may never return, and the clerk should never work in a service position without a lot of further training. A whole lot.

Good customer service is absolutely critical. It is the lifeblood of any business. I have always emphasized that without customers, a business simply cannot survive.

Walmart founder Sam Walton said: “There is only one boss -- the customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else.”

Let me share with you some insights that highlight the importance of good customer service:

-- Preference for personal touch. Research shows that a whopping 80% of consumers prefer customer service from a human being rather than an automated system. Whether on the phone or in a store, 83% of consumers say that interacting with a customer service rep is important. It’s easy enough to shop online, but when issues arise, dealing with an automated system is woefully lacking the personal touch.

-- Negotiation and deals. Nearly 70% of consumers believe they are more likely to get a better deal when negotiating in person rather than online.

-- Customer loyalty. Almost 20% of consumers indicated they would renew products or services because of good personal customer service, even if they were more expensive. Customers have long memories. They will remember how you made them feel long after the price is forgotten.

These statistics underscore that while we may be moving toward a more automated world, the human element in customer service remains invaluable. People crave the personal connection and the assurance that their needs are being understood and addressed by another human being.

By providing stellar customer service, you are not just solving a customer’s issue; you are building a relationship that can withstand the pressures of competition and price wars. In essence, good customer service is not just about the immediate transaction; it is about creating a lasting impression that turns customers into loyal advocates for your brand. In short, customer service is not a department; it is an attitude.

We all have horror stories about being treated poorly for no apparent reason. We also have stories about never returning to that business as a result. Online complaints are all over social media, and sharp businesses take notice. Enough bad reporting can outweigh the finest products if customers believe those negative reviews.

James Cash Penney, the department store founder, said, “Every great business is built on friendship.”

Losing sight of this important fact can cost a business dearly, as this drowsy executive discovered.

A lady phoned the president of a large furniture store at 2 a.m. After several rings, a sleepy, gruff voice answered. “This is Miss Gruntled,” said the lady in sugary tones. “I just had to call you personally to tell you that the couch I bought at your store last week is simply stunning.”

“I’m delighted to hear that,” yawned the president. “But may I ask why you called me in the middle of the night about a couch you bought last week?”

“Because,” she replied sweetly, “your truck just delivered it.”

Mackay’s Moral: Make your customers No. 1 and they will make you No. 1.

His baseball team was behind by one run in the ninth inning; two were out and the bases were loaded. He was the leading hitter on the team. The crowd sat on the edge of its seat as he approached home plate, raised the bat over his shoulder, pounded it on the plate and straightened his cap. And then he watched the pitcher pick off the runner on third base. Game over.

Disappointment is part of life. It happens to everyone. The more expectations you have, the more disappointments you will encounter, especially if you go outside your comfort zone. People who expect the best are often let down the most.

Disappointments come in all sizes. Some may be small, others life-changing. How you handle such occasions will determine how quickly you are able to move on with your life and career. Disappointment is often an opportunity for growth and learning.

I have experienced my fair share of disappointment throughout my career and life, just like everyone else. One instance that comes to mind is when I was working on a major deal that I was confident would come through. I had invested a significant amount of time and resources into making it happen. However, despite my best efforts, the deal fell through at the last minute due to factors beyond my control.

At first, I was deeply disappointed. I had set high expectations for the success of this deal, and its failure was a tough pill to swallow. But I didn’t let that setback define me. Instead, I took some time to reflect on the situation. I allowed myself to feel the disappointment and to understand it, but then I shifted my focus to what I could learn from the experience.

I asked myself a few key questions: What could I have done differently? Were there any warning signs I missed? How can I better prepare for such outcomes in the future?

This introspection helped me to reframe my disappointment as a learning opportunity. It also reminded me that while I can control my actions and decisions, I cannot control all outcomes. This realization was liberating and helped me to adjust my expectations moving forward. As a result, I became more resilient and better equipped to handle future disappointments.

My advice, first and foremost, is to allow yourself to feel the disappointment. It is a natural response, and by acknowledging it, you are validating your emotions, which is a crucial step toward moving forward. I want to remember how I felt so it drives me to never feel that way again. The important thing is not to dwell on your disappointment, because it can cloud your judgment and prevent you from seeing the path ahead.

Famous opera singer Beverly Sills said, “You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try.”

Seek support. Talk to someone you trust -- a friend, a mentor or a colleague. Sometimes just voicing your feelings can help you see things from a different perspective and start to find solutions.

Try to find a positive angle or a lesson learned. Every disappointment carries with it the seeds of knowledge and experience that can lead to future success.

Make sure your expectations are realistic. Setting the bar too high can lead to frequent disappointments. Aim high, but remember that perfection is not the goal -- progress is. Optimism is a choice. I choose to stay positive because it not only benefits me but also positively influences those around me. Believe in your ability to overcome challenges and view each disappointment as a steppingstone to greater achievements.

Sometimes, treading back is necessary to reduce stress and gain perspective. I engage in activities that help me relax and recharge, like sports or other hobbies. Once you have processed your emotions, start planning how to move forward. Set new goals or adjust your strategies as needed. Action is the best antidote to disappointment.

Reflect on what led to the disappointment and how you can avoid similar situations in the future. Use this as an opportunity to strengthen your skills and decision-making. Remember, disappointment is not the end of the road; it is just a detour. By handling it constructively, you can emerge stronger and more resilient.

Don’t let disappointment lead to inaction. Handling disappointment is not about avoiding it, but managing it in a way that propels you forward rather than holding you back.

Mackay’s Moral: Don’t let today’s disappointments cast a shadow on tomorrow’s dreams.