Restaurant Management: Getting Started

Have you ever heard of inertia? It is a noun, meaning an inability to start something. When your car is standing still, it takes more gas to just START the wheels turning than it does to KEEP the wheels turning once you have gotten started. This is the key to any success- just getting started. It is the difference between success and failure, defeat or triumph.

How many business ventures were never even brought to market simply because their founders could not get started? The truth is, we will never know - because no one ever heard of them! Have you ever had an idea that really got you excited? Did you talk it over with your friends, tell them about its appeal to the masses and its certainty to bring you HUGE returns? I am sure you did. EVERYONE does. However, some people just get started, while others never do.

This is not to say that all ideas are worthy of rewards from the marketplace. Certainly not. There are some really bad ideas out there. But, I can say with absolute surety that the worst idea you ever had - the worst return on investment you ever received - was from inaction. It is paralyzing.

Goal Setting

The reason that most people do not take action, even when they have a sure-fire, winning idea, is that they have nothing that drives them. Most people do not have written goals. It is an undisputed fact.

If Mr. Newburry is right, and I believe he is, then goal setting is a powerful force for determining the outcome of both your business and personal life. And yet, this compelling force is neglected by virtually 99% of everyone in the business world. Moreover, I can say with absolute confidence, that the only thing that helped me to become successful was to set tangible objectives for my life.

What about you? Do you have WRITTEN, SPECIFIC and therefore, POWERFUL goals? Or, will you simply put this book down and remain uncommitted to accomplishing your full potential in business?

A Personal Dream

My wife, Jeanne, and I had very specific goals. We were living in Orlando, Florida, in a reasonable home, raising our two terrific daughters. We had the average suburban existence. Most people would have told us to be content with what we had. Yet, I was not. I knew there was more money hidden all around me, and I just had to find it. So, we set out on a journey of goal setting and income building. It has taken us some time, but, through innovation and commitment, we have accomplished the majority of our major goals. In fact, we are in the process of resetting them right now. I need MORE goals, because we have the things we set out to get. Our lifestyle is now almost EXACTLY as we designed it.

I don't write these words to brag. In fact, some of you may have a GRANDER lifestyle than we do. We are certainly not "Donald Trump" wealthy. We are not even as rich as Ivana or Marla! But we have SUBSTANTIALLY altered our lifestyle by setting goals, and then taking steps to accomplish our dreams. Let me tell you a little about our journey. It may help you on yours.

First, I should tell you, I am legally blind. I have an eye disease that has left me without sight in the center of my eyes, and with limited vision everywhere else. So, I cannot read print, nor can I drive. It makes things a little more difficult, but that is simply one more part of the challenge.

Jeanne and I decided to make a change in our lives in the early 1990’s. Both of us had been raised living on the water, and we knew we just had to get back to that type of life. We wanted to live somewhere with a boat in the backyard, and access to the beach and ocean at our fingertips. I LOVE to fish, so the idea of walking out the back door and throwing a line into the water was extremely exciting. Finally, I wanted to be somewhere I could use the waterways for transportation and exercise. That was our dream.

Now, that may not sound too good to you. That’s okay. It is OUR dream. You can go get your own! We spent a lot of time thinking about EXACTLY what we wanted. In fact, we described it in writing and put it on a poster over my dresser in the bedroom. We even wrote it BIG so I could see it.

We wanted our dreams so much that we actually took action. We worked harder than I thought we could, doing the things no one else seemed willing to do. We were driven. But, because we had developed our goals as a team, we were driven together, not apart. We still took time for the family. Yet, we always gave time to our dreams as well.

What do you think happened? We now live on an island in Biscayne Bay, with our boat in the back and the beach a half-block away. Access to the ocean by boat is only minutes down the Intracoastal Waterway. My office at Florida International University is on the water, about two and a half miles from my back dock. I travel there by kayak! That’s right - my coat and tie go into a waterproof hatch in the stern. There is a shower and locker room in the first floor of my building. In fact, my unique way of commuting has been featured in the Miami Herald, and on local television.

How did we reach those goals? Well, the first step was to SET them! Then, we were able to identify exactly how much money it would take to achieve them. The rest was simple, although by no means easy. We looked for money in hidden places and then dug it out. But, it was the commitment to our goals that kept us going.

Time to Set Your Goals

Now, it is time to set YOUR goals. WHAT do you want? WHEN do you want it? Both of these questions are more important than how you will get it. You can always find ways to get money, or whatever else you want. The hard part is to build up the motivation necessary to keep you on track. That is where most people fail, before they even get started.

Perhaps you are completely content where you are now. Your business is producing all of the money you need. Your lifestyle is EXACTLY where you want it to be. In that case, put this book down and go fishing. There is no information for you here. On the other hand, maybe you are not looking for anything for yourself, but would like to help someone else achieve his/her goals. You can do that. All you have to do is find someone who wants the results strongly enough to do the work. Finally, maybe YOU want something more. In that case, write it down. Then, go and get it.

Start with small goals. But, write them down. Then, move to more creative goals. But, write them down. Finally, select some high-impact, far reaching goals. But, of course, write them down. There is no such thing as a compelling or attainable goal unless it is written down.

The Trouble in Setting Goals

Most people have difficulty in selecting large goals. The problem is, hardly anyone ever ASKS us what we want. Most people spend time TELLING us what they want us to do. How about where you work? Are you an inspiring person who will listen to other people’s dreams? Have you ever asked someone what they want? Most of us do not. We are afraid of the answers! We are afraid that we can never meet the expectations of other people. There is no need to fear that anymore.

Let them have some of the money they uncover. Give them lots and lots of meaningful recognition. Don’t recognize them for what they do for the company, recognize them for what they are doing for themselves! Talk about their accomplishments in terms of PERSONAL achievement. That will motivate them more.

It Starts With a Goal - And Ends With a Reward

In general, follow the steps listed below to implement the things you have learned from this book. They will lead you to the hidden wealth that is all around you. It may come from the most unexpected sources, or it may be from a traditional source in your business. In any case, BE READY FOR IT!

1. Establish a REASON for uncovering the money (Set specific goals)
2. Form a creative team (Ask them what THEY want)
3. Talk about the rewards (Make sure the rewards give people what they want)
4. Gather customer information (Do they get everything they need from your company?)
5. Brainstorm for some ideas (Remember to innovate, not just create)
6. Choose a program (But not until ALL the ideas are on the table)
7. Make great customers out of good ones (Increase revenue)
8. Become a great customer to your suppliers (Ask them for help)
9. Evaluate your progress towards the goals (It can’t be done unless the goals are written)
10. Reward, reward, reward (And ask them if they want more!)

Are you ready to get started? Are you surprised to find out that you will be starting with a goal-setting session? Well, now you know. Everything worthwhile starts with a dream. So get started. Once you have your goals, use the ideas found in the book to start uncovering the hidden money. It is waiting for you.

Money Making Exercise #5 - This is What We Want!

This is a two-part exercise. First, write down your goals. Be specific. Don’t spare the details. The more you write, the more REAL those goals will become. If you have a spouse or partner, work with them. Ask yourself: WHAT exactly do I want, and WHEN do I want it. Don’t be shy. This is YOUR dream. Make it personal.

Now, ask at least two other people what THEY want. Help them develop their goals. They are probably shy as well. After all, it is unlikely that anyone has ever ASKED them before. Listen to them. Ask more questions. Become known as the type of person who is INTERESTED in helping others get what they want.

Now keep on practicing until you are a master GOALIE!

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