On Loving Your Job: The Case of Randy

Today emphasized something that seems pretty common sense but I often forget. People who love their job, I mean LOVE their job, can get anyone excited about it. Take my man Randy at Rounders Pizzeria in Austin. Regardless of the fact that Rounders is AMAZING, Randy could get me to order 5 pizzas without ever tasting them, simply because I can tell he's enjoying himself. ( And Randy, if you somehow read this and want to tell me it's all an act please do so. Then quit your job and move to Hollywood because you are gooooooood.)

Recently, I had my first experience with Randy. Chris and Pat had him as a server before, and can agree he is the man. Randy is the best server I've ever had, I mean ever, including those " we made this customized menu just for you and what's fresh" places. Randy wasn't just pleasant, he seemed like her was having a good time being there.  He was warm, laid back, and talked about the food like it was the BEST food ever, but in a realistic way. I never felt sold to, I never felt like I was just another table he needed to get to "tip time" as fast as possible. He made conversation that wasn't forced, he helped us navigate an uncomfortable situation with some reeeeeally drunk guys, and he made me excited to be there. Randy MADE that experience for me.

Teaching I swear is the same way. You can have an AMAZING teacher, who isn't in love with what they do, teach an AMAZING lesson in front of you. The kids are well behaved, they master the objective, case closed. The kids however, just aren't as invested. They can tell this is "just another day on the job" so they should just view the experience the same way.

On the other hand, I've seen a new teacher, who's struggling just to finish a lesson cycle and can't control that pesky back table, who is IN LOVE with what their doing, and the kids can just tell. They try harder, they want more, they ask good questions, they do more than show up and do their job, because he did more than just show up and put on a show. He gets kids excited because he IS excited to be there.

So I just want to take the time to remind you. This is a tough time for jobs, but always be looking for the one that you love, I mean really love. You won't just be good at it, you'll change the way other's see what you do. I mean, it worked for Randy.

First day back and I just want to get started with my kids.
-HK