Lesson plans for life

While queuing up to board JetBlue flight #2251 leaving Orlando for Boston on the morning of September 11th to attend a wedding, my thoughts about what I needed to get done on the flight to Boston and whether I would be upgraded were interrupted by the gate attendant asking for everyone’s attention.

“Oh no...please don’t let this be a ‘delay’ announcement. I really want to make it to the rehearsal dinner,” I said to myself.

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please. Thank you. 

I was checking out of a Publix grocery store. I looked at the cashier's nametag as she was scanning my BOGOs.

 "Thanks, Mary," I said cheerfully.

 She handed me my receipt, said I saved $25.56, and smiled.

 "You're welcome. But my name is actually Margaret."

 Oh No!

• I had read it wrong

• I was in a hurry

• I felt embarrassed

ALDI is one of the most cost-effective grocery chains in the U.S., consistently ranking among the cheapest options for a standard basket of goods. To save money, ALDI requires customers to insert a quarter into the shopping cart rack to release a cart.  You get your quarter back when you return the grocery cart.

 Well, I was on my way into ALDI when I dropped my quarter. 

Welcome!  It is a pleasure to spend a few minutes with you as you begin your first day with our company.

On my first day nearly 30 years ago, I remember being excited, nervous, and completely unsure of myself. I didn't have the right uniform. I didn't know where to park. I didn't know anyone. Maybe that's how some of you feel today. If it is, that's perfectly normal.

Since my first day, I've had opportunities I never imagined, worked with incredible people, and learned from outstanding leaders. But I'm still excited, I still get nervous, and I still make mistakes.

What I've learned is that success isn't about being perfect. It's about committing yourself to a process built around three questions: What? How? Why?

First, know what your job is. Second, know how to do it—with professionalism, teamwork, respect, and excellence. Our guests may forget what we did, but they'll always remember how we made them feel.

There is a beautiful, expensive candle sitting on our dining room table.

·        It looks perfect

·        It smells like almond

·        It has a pristine, unburnt wick

It has been sitting there for two years.

My wife and I are waiting for a "special occasion" to light it.

Has this happened to you?  Have you put off something or someone until the time is perfect?

Resilience is the ability to overcome obstacles by using them as stepping stones rather than accepting them as dead ends. It is the determination to stay the course despite setbacks involving people, resources, changing priorities, or other environmental factors.

In operating and managing resorts, plans rarely unfold exactly as expected. We face staffing shortages, equipment failures, financial constraints, dissatisfied guests, changing business demands, and decisions that do not produce the results we anticipated.