enCOURAGEment

Yesterday, as the sun was setting in San Francisco and the sky, turned cotton-candy colors, I walked the city streets and let my mind wander.  I remembered my first walks in San Francisco streets; the hope, intimidation, and exuberant excitement of what was to come.  

At 21 years old, on a 4 day trip to San Francisco before I moved here, I remember walking to famous restaurants to knock on their doors and ask for job interviews (a ‘stage’ as we call it in the restaurant industry; an 8-12 hr cooking interview, where you cook with the crew for a day.  They evaluate your skill level, speed, cleanliness, and interaction with the crew). 

I walked these miles because it gave me time to gather my courage. I knew if I had put in so much effort to get there, I’d refuse to walk home empty-handed.  So I walked, nervous, but always excited.  Knowing that on the other side of the knock, there would be an answer to my asking dream.  Does the Chef have a moment to speak with me?  Can I stage?  Do you have job openings?  Would this master of culinary teach me to be a better cook?

On the other side of these nerve-wracking asks, there was a yes, “come back in a few days with your knives and you can cook with us”.  There were also plenty of no’s.  What I learned from my bright-eyed- 21-year-old memories, was that I was just as fulfilled with the no because I had the courage to ask.  I showed up for my own dream. A ‘no’ made me pivot, so what?!  I had a long list of chefs I wanted to meet.  Just keep moving.   Just because your dream looks a little different, don’t ever hang on to the one no.  Expand what the yes’s to your dreams look like.

Fast follow up is key.  The chef that said no, I’d push the chef that had said no for one more second of his time. “No problem, thanks so much for your time, is there another restaurant you love and would recommend me stopping by?”

Ask your last no to give you your next yes.  Not always, but oftentimes, when one door closes, if you ask, another will open.  

I encourage you to take courage.  The next yes for your dream is on the other side of your next no.  There is just as much power in getting a ‘no’ if you simply advocate for your own dreams.  A no is not the end, a no is a pivot to a better path.  

Your wildest dreams manifest on the other side of courage.  

Take Courage, friends.