Servitude

What I meant to write about was servitude in relation to my job at Red Lobster, serving people (go figure). My business is all about serving people and helping them to achieve a goal. So I thought today about how business is as easy and quite similar as becoming a server. When you start to learn how to serve, your first months are always rocky. You are learning how to talk to people and articulate the conversation in different scenarios and greetings, stumbling often on your words while trying to say the perfect spiel. You sweat, get red in the face, completely mess up your speech, and miss the whole point of what you are doing; to serve people and provide them what they want.
After a few months, you are starting to get the hang of it. You are learning how to sell the products available, to promote Red Lobster and its greatness, and can handle more people (or tables) at once. In fact, you are probably getting so good that you can bring out a sales pitch on any of the items you choose.
But here's what happens when you are around the business of serving for longer. You start to realize that you cannot sell people on things that they don't want, often times wasting your breath. You begin to see the value of identifying a need and filling a need, only suggesting the deal to someone who is interested and not pushing it on others who do not. You used to push it on others because you wanted to make more money off of that table, but then you realized you could be just as profitable and productive by serving someone who was looking for that item you suggested. You stood available when someone needed something and gave them what they wanted. So you realized you cannot sell people on things they do not want but only serve the heck out of that table and be there when they need something.
Now there is the certain expectation of rewards in this business. Some serve for the financial rewards while others find reward inherent in, and fueled by, the genuine desires found in the service industry to serve and please the people to maximum happiness. Thats what separates the good from the great. And when that table is happy and appreciative, 9 out of 10 times you've earned financial reward as well.
Here's how it goes: Sometimes a table will reward you tenfold based on the service and the example you have provided, sometimes the tip will be average or below expectation, and sometimes there will be no visible reward on the table. Thoughts run rampant through your head. "What did I do wrong?" "Why did those cheapos shortchange me?" Most times you did nothing wrong, you forgot something minor or the people knew no better on how to repay you for your good service. I believe that eventually they will discover how, and the more that you serve them with great service, the higher the likelihood of receiving that financial reward. But it was the consistency in great service with hopes to make those people happy that ultimately brought prosperity.
When you get that table that does not wanna tip, will you wanna quit because you are now without financial reward, or do you move on to the next table and continue to try your best and get better at serving (and accepting people for their human nature)? If you are a strong server, you anticipate the next party and continue to give it your all, not prejudging nor falling short of giving every table an equal chance at receiving your service.
Now take that philosophy and apply it to your business, but now allow your Dreams to be what manages you through your efforts, not a Boss. How hard will you work for it then? And when there are no visible financial rewards?