Ben Fileccia, former Director of Operations of Sbraga Dining Group, taught me in episode 180 of the Restaurant Unstoppable podcast, the importance of “knowing your lane and staying in it.”
You’ve probably received advice in the past that goes something like this, “If you want to be successful you need to improve your weaknesses.”
I don’t ENTIRELY subscribe to that school of thought. Yes, if you improve your weaknesses you’re improving yourself as a whole, but the best you’ll ever be is OK.
Whereas if you were to focus on improving your strengths, there is a better shot you could be the best at what you do. You’re better off being the best at what you’re naturally good at and surrounding yourself with those who are strong where you are weak.
What is great about the restaurant industry is that it FORCES you into your lane by revealing your strengths and weaknesses. The work we do is too unforgiving, and the margin for error is too small.
Think of all the young adults who are investing tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of dollars on an education to set them up for a lane or career that may not be right for them.
You don’t know what lane you belong in until after you’ve lived a little and failed a couple times. Working in restaurants can be a very humbling experience that will knock you on your ass, until of course, you find your lane and fine-tune your strengths.
All too often, we don’t realize that we’re in the wrong lane until after we’ve invested all that money—only to arrive and naturally be weeded out.
We’re taught at a young age that we can be anything we want to be so long as we put our minds to it. Which is true. We live in the greatest country in the world, one that allows us to choose our path.
But… BUT!!!!
Just because we can be anything we put our minds to, doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll enjoy or be good at it. If you want to be successful, you need skill, natural talent, and a passion for what it is you’re doing.
I believe all young people should be encouraged to find work in the restaurant industry. Their liabilities are low, so they can earn a livable wage, while putting money away to invest in their career. It will push you harder than ever before, giving you a taste of what the real work is actually like. But most important, you’re being exposed to numerous lanes that could lead to lifelong careers, like:
- Agriculture
- Branding
- Culinary
- Education
- Financial
- Leadership
- Human relations
- Hospitality
- Management
- Marketing
- Operations
- Production
- Public relations
- Technology
- Sales
- Service
- Sustainability
We can’t leave out that the restaurant industry also teaches us invaluable habits, qualities, and skills that can be applied to all walks of life. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Being consistent
- Communicating well
- Developing standards
- Having discipline
- Paying attention to detail
- Service to others
- Working as part of a team
Only after a few years of discovering your strengths, weaknesses, passions, and interests—and after you’ve gotten proficient at falling on your ass (and getting back up)—should you begin investing your money in a lifelong career.
If you’re lost in life and need direction or something to fill the void, give the restaurant industry a shot. It WILL help you find your lane, and it will give you countless skills that can be applied to any career you choose to pivot toward.