It was the day before a long road trip, and as I was driving past my favorite tire store, something told me I should stop in and check the tire pressure. Yes, I have a favorite tire store, and it’s not because there’s a shortage of options. In fact, there are dozens of tire stores in my area. But this particular store has something that makes it stand out—its exceptional customer service. It’s engraved in my mindset that if I ever have a tire issue, I can count on them. That trust, built over years of outstanding service, is why I keep coming back.

For the past 15 years, I’ve been buying tires from this same chain, even though they closed the location that was only four minutes from my house. Now, I drive 20 minutes to visit the same store at a different location. Why? Because of the customer experience that’s become a permanent part of my mindset.

So, I pulled into the store that day and immediately spotted my favorite associate. I rolled down the window and called out his name. He saw me and waved, shouting, “Hey, Mr. Ricky! I got you—be there in a minute.” After checking the tire pressure, he told me one of my tires was six pounds low. There didn’t appear to be any obvious issues, but he insisted on taking the tire off to make sure it was safe. When I mentioned that I was leaving for a road trip at 5:00 a.m., he said, “Let’s play it safe. Leave the tire with me for a bit, and I’ll check it thoroughly.”

My instincts were spot on. There was a small nail causing a slow leak—something that could have turned into a much bigger problem on the highway. As I drove away, I couldn’t help but reflect on how engrained this store’s customer service is in my mindset. I didn’t stop there out of convenience; I stopped because I knew I could trust them to go the extra mile, just like they always have.

That’s the power of customer experience. It’s not just about solving problems in the moment; it’s about creating a relationship built on trust and reliability. When a business does that, it engrains itself in your mindset, becoming the place you rely on, no matter what.

Regardless of the product or service you offer, people buy and continue to use your services based on the experience you provide. Their loyalty isn’t driven by price, but by the confidence and trust you build over time. Once you’ve earned that loyalty through consistent, high-quality experiences, price becomes secondary. People are willing to go out of their way, and even pay more, for the peace of mind that comes with knowing they can rely on you. That’s when you become more than just a business—you become the solution they trust.

What’s fascinating is how we often make these decisions unconsciously. It’s not something we always actively think about, but our past experiences guide us without us even realizing it. Every interaction, every moment of great service, becomes a stored memory that influences future choices. When faced with a decision—whether it’s buying a product or choosing a service—our minds automatically pull from past experiences to steer us in the right direction. In this case, I didn’t even hesitate to go back to my favorite tire store. My mind already knew I could trust them based on countless positive interactions. This unconscious decision-making, rooted in the experiences we’ve had, is what keeps people coming back to businesses they know and trust. It’s a reminder that every experience counts and that how you treat your customers today can shape their choices tomorrow.

#SelfCare #MentalFitness #mindsetmatters #resilience  #mentalfortitude