Life Lessons From a Life in Hospitality

First off, thanks to everyone who responded to the AMA (Ask Me Anything) article I posted.  

We didn’t get as many responses as I hoped, so I thought I’d try one more time. Seriously, I’d love to hear from more of you. If there’s anything on your mind—whether it’s a question about entrepreneurship, commercial real estate, hospitality, or mindset shifting and healing- no question is too big or small- click this Google Form link and ask away. https://forms.gle/tddcHw3JaXECi5qj7

One question that did come in was: What life lessons did you learn exclusively from working in the restaurant business?

Now, I’ve learned a ton of lessons over the years, but one lesson from the restaurant business specifically that sticks out above all is: “cut the cord.”

We’ve talked about this before and in previous conversations, but it’s worth revisiting because it’s something that applies to so many areas of life and business. Whether it’s closing a location, letting a colleague go, discontinuing a relationship with a vendor, or changing a marketing strategy- they all can be very tough decisions. 

The restaurant industry, in particular, constantly presents you with these tough calls. You’re constantly juggling a million things at once, and it’s easy to get attached to your staff, and to the way things have always been done. But sometimes, holding on too long can do more harm than good.

I have found that the solution in these tough decisions is “getting out of the weeds” and working to think analytically about what the logical resolution would be. You have to remove yourself from the minutiae of the moment or problem and disconnect emotionally to better serve your business and customers.

Easier said than done, right? Here’s the thing though: separating yourself from your decisions becomes an act of battling your ego- basically coming to terms with the fact that you were wrong and BEING OK WITH IT. And let’s be real, nobody likes to admit they were wrong. It’s tough. It’s uncomfortable. But it’s necessary.

I repeat, you need to be okay with being wrong.

Look, I get it. It’s tough to admit you were wrong or made a bad call, especially when it impacts people’s lives. But after “pulling the cord,” you’ll often feel so much better, realizing you held onto that “thing” for way too long. It’s like a breath of fresh air- suddenly, you’ll feel better, and your business will be better off for it.

So, in summary, just surrender…

It’s not about giving up; it’s about letting go of what’s no longer serving you, your team, or your business. And if you need a little help in that department, I highly recommend The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer. It’s a book that’s helped me a lot in learning to let go and trust the process.

-G

aka the ego extinGuisher

Until next time, keep those questions coming.

About G:

Gaurav "G" Patel is a seasoned entrepreneur, restaurateur, business consultant, and 20-year veteran of the hospitality industry of Raleigh, NC. His clarity and natural optimism are drivers of his professional success. This includes his vision to help his local community grow and his interest in mentoring young minds. However, G's professional endeavors would not be possible without the support of his loving wife, Julie, and their children, daughter Zara and son Azil.

Today, G leads the Acquisition and Investments for CityPlat Capital, combining his multi-dimensional experience across several leading industries with his passion for development. CityPlat is a leader in local growth while simultaneously building exceptional value for its investors. Together, they continue to change the landscape of commercial real estate in North Carolina.

Click here to learn more about CityPlat.

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