Harvest America CUES BLOG

It’s a choice that we all have. A daily fork in the road to choose being great or mediocre, being average or noteworthy, world-class, or just getting by. Which will you choose? Yes, choose is the defining word. We all have the ability to be at the top of our game or to sit on the bench. The first step is always to choose the high road and then commit to being exceptional. What will it take?

         Hey, Michael Jordan didn’t even make first string on his high school basketball team, but he didn’t accept that as his fate – he chose the path that would take him to exceptional, excellent, noteworthy, world-class, and eventually the greatest of all time. Don’t get me wrong – the decision to be exceptional must be followed up with the effort required to get there, but effort will fail unless you choose to be world-class.

         So, here’s the thing – you can’t be exceptional unless you choose this path in everything you do. It’s very difficult for a cook to be exceptional at grilling steaks but lackluster at every other kitchen task. Those who choose to be selectively great will find themselves locked into a path of limited opportunities. Great at grilling steaks will lead to a strong career on the grill station, but little else. Choose to be exceptional at everything you touch, and the world will be your oyster.

         Those who are on the exceptional path know what they don’t know and find a way to turn that around. They work at it, align with those who can serve as benchmarks, keep an open mind to learning new skills, ask questions, and practice constantly until average becomes good, good becomes great, and great becomes world-class. Remember, Michael Jordan threw 100 free throws before every game, Tiger Woods played golf every day, often multiple rounds in a day, and the best chefs take every opportunity to fine tune their skills and knowledge. Some may have an innate ability, but only those who have the attitude and work that ability will eventually perfect a skill.

         I have seen so many young cooks with raw talent, with great taste buds, and with an artistic eye who falter, and wind up stuck in a position that is well below their potential simply because they fail to choose the exceptional path and what it takes. I’m sure I seem like a broken record to some when I say that anyone can reach their goals if they choose to be great and commit to the process, but it is absolutely true. You can do it, so stop complaining about your position, your pay, and your opportunities and take the first step: CHOOSE TO BE EXCEPTIONAL!

         On the other hand, I have seen countless young cooks who may lack the innate talent of some, who refuse to submit to average, who believe in themselves, who make the commitment to doing what is required, who always look at every task as an opportunity to be world-class, and who far exceed the expectations of others. Most entrepreneurs realize that an attitude of greatness will always outscore talent when the commitment is lacking. It’s as true in the kitchen as it is in sports, music, writing, engineering, architecture, or rocket science. An attitude of excellence is the first step towards being just that.

         So, I would encourage you (every cook who will opt to listen) to live this pledge, to embrace it as if it were the single most important thing that you can do. Take this pledge, post it on your wall at home, write it on a piece of paper and keep it in your wallet, tape it to the inside of your locker, and recite it every day before you tie on an apron. I challenge you to do this until it becomes your mantra, is part of who you are and apparent to all who work beside you. Do it!

THE PLEDGE

         I pledge to start each day with a commitment to being exceptional at everything I do. Every task, no matter how large or small will be given my absolute best effort. What I don’t know will become my goal to change. I will seek to improve and learn something new every day and will choose to treat each task as if it were another opportunity for me to stand out. I will begin with how I look, how I act towards others, the respect I give for those who provide the environment and materials I work with and work like crazy to be an example to others. I will be my own worst critic knowing that regardless of how good I become at a particular task, I know I can always be better and that I must commit to constant improvement. I will approach each day in the kitchen as an opportunity to continue my pursuit of “exceptional”, knowing that it’s MY choice and that MY future is in MY hands. I take responsibility for my own success.

         I guarantee that this pledge will serve you well. Commitment to what it takes will carry you to the goals you hope to achieve. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise and never accept “average” as your destiny. Inside every committed cook is a future “chef to watch”, a person who will be viewed as exceptional and trusted to do just that. Yes, I’m talking about YOU!

PLAN BETTER – TRAIN HARDER – CHOOSE EXCEPTIONAL

Harvest America Ventures, LLC

Restaurant Consulting

www.harvestamericacues.com  BLOG

(Over 800 articles about the business and people of food)

CAFÉ Talks Podcast

https://cafemeetingplace.com/cafe-podcasts

More than 80 interviews with the most influential people in food