That word doesn’t exist. Not in the real world, anyway. In fact, I don’t even understand why that word is even in our vocabulary. We will never achieve it. Doesn’t mean, however, we aren’t going to strive for it, though. Otherwise, what’s the point?

I have been accused over the years of having too high of a standard. I don’t actually know what that means. I see a job that needs to be done, and I see a right way to do it, and a wrong way to do it. Not going after it 110% is the wrong way.

Blame my parents

My wife often does. I am sorry to her and to any one reading this blog. I do strive for perfect. I have never hit it yet, but I have come close many times. I have worked nights in restaurants when everything was pretty darn close to perfect.

The customers all left sated and thrilled, the restaurant made a lot of dough that night, the servers all made a lot of cash and tipped their co-workers generously, the back-of-the-house cranked the food out, nothing was sent back from the customer, and all employees got along famously. At the end of the night all of the staff was joking around, having a good time. Yes. Front-of-the-house and back-of-the-house. I have seen it.

Not very often

Sure, it’s true it doesn’t happen very often. But, why wouldn’t we strive for a night like that every time? I know it is my goal every time I come to work. Sure, I leave many nights disappointed that we didn’t hit that high mark, but boy does it feel good when we get very close.

Leave the ego at home

Leaving the ego at home is the starting point. Even though it is impossible to hit perfect, you can only get close to it if every one starts from the same place. And if there are egos involved, they will get in the way of your ultimate goal.

Remember that we are in the hospitality business. If we focus our energies on the needs of the guests, and not our own personal needs for a few hours, amazing things can happen. And any one who has had one of those special nights that I mentioned earlier, knows what I am talking about.

Come in every night with the goal of making every single customer happy. Those customers who have chosen to spend their hard-earned money at your place.