That That Don’t Kill Me

Yesterday started out fairly well. The night went smoothly for a while, then a dark cloud moved in and a sense of failure and of loss of control took over. Defeat started to emerge.

That basically sums up how I felt last night. It wasn’t because of my team or the fact that we couldn’t cover the shift. It got busy, which we were handling the influx of diners. Then we were overrun. I tried to manage the best I could, for as long as I could.

I don’t know how many complaints were received, but I remember one in particular from a customer who came in to pick up his order a little after I arrived. It was placed as a future order and it wasn’t ready. He asked for a way to contact our comment and complaint line and I suppose the regional manager received his complaint and called my RGM to update her on the issue. Sure, placing future orders should ensure that you get your order at that time, but it could be late if it the restaurant is busy or a large order is placed right before the order is released to be made.

I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. With my mind racing, it went straight to the worst with the initial bad thought, “my job was on the line.” Which it is. Too many unseasonable complaints I will end up being written up and ultimately after enough of write-ups, I will be dismissed.

My RGM has been sick for the past few days and I waited as long as I could before calling her. I didn’t want to bother her unless it was absolutely necessary. Something was actually working in my favor because preemptively she sent me a text saying that she was the way. A few moments later, Ms. Z returned even though she worked earlier yesterday.

Second thought was about failure. I was entrusted with running the restaurant, which I do, but should successfully run my shift. I know I shouldn’t have to have an iron fist, but I should be able to handle a busy period with the team I have.

When business got slower, my RGM called me and reminded me that I am not expected to learn everything immediately. She said that I am mindful of the way I’m suppose to run the restaurant and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

As time wound closer to closing, we eventually cleaned, closed up, and we finished our duties. All in while, I couldn’t forget the dark cloud that loomed over me and I was introverted for a little while, but pushed through the shift and slowly saw a break in the cloud.

As the song says, “that that don’t kill me can only make me stronger.” In every person’s life, we are faced with obstacles at some point. We just have to look adversity in the face and power through it. It may be difficult, it may take time, but failure is not an option to succeed! I don’t know where I’m gaining my impeccable work ethic from, but regardless of what happens, what people think, do, or say, I’m not quitting. I’m not going away and that’s, that!