My daughter is going into her third summer working at the local ice cream shop, The Milford Dairy Bar, in our hometown of Milford, Pennsylvania. It is a wonderful family-owned establishment that’s been around for years. It is frequented by so many locals, making great memories of eating ice cream in the summer time with family and loved ones.
Claire gets paid a salary and makes tips. On warm hot summer days when there is lots of ice cream being sold, she makes a great deal on tips. Other times on cold, damp, rainy afternoons, and evenings, not so much.
This has been frustrating for her and a learning experience. Listening to her talk about this, my wife and I shared the concept that sometimes it rains. Sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn’t. In the end, it will all even out and you’ll make your money over the course of four or five months. Sometimes it does rain. Sometimes it rains for two or three days in a row. Sometimes it goes your way, and sometimes it doesn’t.
How do we manage these types of situations when things don’t go our way?
Here are a few thoughts:
#1. Keep showing up! When you are persistent and consistent. Good things happen.
#2. Live by the 5SWs: sometimes it will, sometimes it won’t, so what, someone’s waiting, so stick with it.
#3. Prepare for the rainy days. When the sun is out and tips are abundant, that’s a bonus!
#4. Focus on the things you can control. You certainly can prepare for the weather, but you can’t control it, so don’t worry about it.
#5. It’s not: this is it, it’s do or die, it’s now or never. Don’t think like that. Tomorrow’s a new day and the sun will come out. It’s not what you’re going through, it’s where you are going to.
I wish you the best on your journey and keep rolling. May you have sunny, bright days ahead!
If I can help you in any way, don’t hesitate to reach out at @andrewmarotta21 (https://twitter.com/andrewmarotta21) on Twitter.
Quote: “When things go wrong in your command, start searching for the reason in increasingly large circles around your own desk.”
— Gen. Bruce Clarke
