By Dave Kelly
I was a server all through college and even for a couple of years after I graduated. I worked in fine dining environments, up-scale restaurants, and pubs, wearing anything from long-sleeved dress shirts with a tie to a polo shirt and khakis. Everywhere I worked, I wanted to be known as the best server. Not one of the best. THE best.
During my “serving career,” I worked with a lot of people who did just enough to get by. I never understood that. Those same co-workers could never understand why I consistently made more in tips than they did and why customers would request me as their server. I decided that if I was going to be working, I was going to get the most out of it by giving it my all. And the results paid off.
Those experiences helped shape me in my life, mortgage career, and now in my career as a professional speaker and author. In sports, the phrase is “leave nothing on the field.” The idea is this: you can’t save up anything because the game at hand must be won, and giving your best effort is the right kind of habit you need to create success.
When I became Circle K District Administrator for Georgia, I resolved to be the best district administrator in the history of Circle K International. Not that such a thing could ever be measured, but that idea motivated me to do my best. I had to set the example (and standard) for our students, advisors, and Kiwanis sponsors. If I ever let up, I knew it would be a disservice to those who were counting on me. When I finally retired from that position in March 2007, I could give no more. Nothing was left on the field.
These efforts paid off with amazing results: students fulfilled their potential, thousands of service hours were performed, more chapters were established than at any time in the district’s history, and advisor and Kiwanis sponsor involvement and support reached all-time highs. Not only that, but I was named as a distinguished district administrator for each of my nine years.
Do you take this same approach in all that you do? Each time I get before an audience, no matter how tired I may be from traveling or what kind of day I have had, I give my best. That may be the only time those in the audience will ever hear me present and I want it to be the best I can deliver.
It’s easier when it is something you love to do, but it is possible with everything that you do.
The results will show!
Dave Kelly is a professional speaker and host of the website Gonzospeaks.com, and a contributing writer here on OutOfYourRut.com. His career story is also a feature here at Professional Speaking—Turning a Hobby Into a Career. Dave is available for speaking engagements either through his website or by emailing Kevin at OutOfYourRut
