As a 20-something my experience with the service industry is a recent tale of agony and ecstasy. In my time I've destroyed $100 worth of brisket, broken customers cellphone screens, and been told where I can shove my had and how far up I can shove it. In contrast, I've given people relationship advice, shared pictures of our pets, and consoled a man after he learned his son may never walk again.
It's moments like these that made me realize I have the opportunity to offer so much more than a perfectly sliced piece of brisket, or a hamburger in under five minutes. I had the opportunity to give people joy, reassurance, and laughter. Working in the service industry reminded me of the common humanity I share with everyone. The need to be love and be loved, to feel excitement, and to express our wide cultivation of emotions.
So, I set about my work with a new mindset. It was no longer just about fixing people's phones, finding their lost package, or serving up great food. All of these became vehicles for me to uplift people. These were now opportunities to deliver real, authentic, human experience. When I approached it from this angle, suddenly I didn't mind busy nights, or lazy co-workers. And angry customers? Who could really blame them? Sometimes when life is at its worst, it just feels good to yell.
Now, as I move into my career, I've still held onto this mentality. When I feel unmotivated, uninspired, or just plain bored, I remember that I have the opportunity to make someone's day. That by just doing my job as best as I can, I can uplift someone. That's how I've avoided burnout.
