035: Gotta Serve Somebody

Until fairly recently, I did not give myself much credit or love for things I was good at. When someone complimented me, it embarrassed me and I shrugged it off. It’s not a good trait. I’ve worked really hard to overcome this quality in me. When someone thanks you for a job well done, say you are welcome or it was my pleasure or that means a lot to me, I appreciate it. Anytime. Self-deprecation is something I do not like about myself and in my self-awareness journey is one area that I know exists and I try to catch it before it manifests. If you are good at something and people recognize it, own it and be proud of it. Double down on your strengths.

Customer Service

I am humble by nature, but I know I was a very good at bartending and working in the restaurant business in general. I was technically skilled at the position, but the reason I was good was I knew what people needed before they even realized they needed anything at all. The definition of great customer service is anticipating needs of customers or clients or guests. I am perceptive. When a person or couple or group approached the bar, I immediately knew how to handle them and give them the best experience and service possible. I knew if they were happy or sad or if they just wanted to be left alone. I had timing and recognized people’s pace for drinks or food and was in complete rhythm. Most people thought I was reading their minds because in most cases I had already done what they were about to ask. Anticipation of needs. Service.

Now What?

I want to run my own business which really means I need to support myself financially. I need to charge for something people need. Because I am so unsure of how I can use my skills to make money, all roads point to coaching, but my gut tells me I don’t want to do that. I love helping people, but the thought of having 8–week transformation sessions over Skype and creating action plans and accountability milestones or whatever is really not doing it for me. Yet, I think I’d be good at something similar, because I see solutions for people when they do not even see a problem. It pains me to see people not living up to their potential or miserable or sad when I know I could help them. I am a fixer. I see things in people they do not see for themselves and that in my opinion is what good coaches do. They help people achieve fulfillment by uncovering things in them they have never tapped into. I think I could do this for people, but I haven’t quite figured out how to turn this into an income on my terms.

Patience

One thing at a time. We (I) often have this sense of urgency to figure everything out all at once or we go into panic mode. I know coaching in the traditional sense is not where I want to be, so move on. Just keep making things and talking out loud about things that inspire and motivate you. I know I have to serve somebody, but exactly how I am still not certain. My time will come. Your time will come. Just be true to yourself. I am. #cheers.