A few weeks back, I ate at a nice restaurant. My server was kind, but not terribly attentive. I’d say on a one to 10 scale, she was probably a six (and I cut servers a lot of slack — it’s a tough job!). She then found out what I did and lit up like a lightbulb. “I want to be a writer!” she joyfully said as she then proceeded to tell me her life story.
You could tell that being a server wasn’t her dream job.
I’m not being hard on her. She may have been having a bad day. To me, our encounter was more of a personal reminder. I’ve struggled with my attitude for the past five years. I know that it has cost me opportunities. You can’t look off into the future and not kick butt in the present. It’s like taking a long trip with the parking brake on.
Mac McAnally said it best about his song “It’s My Job.” “Work hard at a job that sucks and you will will soon have a job that sucks less.”
Sage advice.
I’m fortunate — I love my jobs. But I know that for me to truly be my best, I need to give 100% at them every single day. I hope my server friend becomes a writer. I hope she finds her passion and chases it with all her heart. But a good place for her to start would be to pour her heart into what she’s doing. That will take here where ever she wants to go (and give her good material to write about).
I thank her for giving me a gentle wake-up call I needed to hear. I tipped her well for that alone.