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Happiness Learning

The next phase of my life

Many times I have spoken to people I’ve asked them what they’re doing about changing their situation to overcome boredom, laziness, stifling work environments, toxic friendships, and many other ‘ills’ people often complain about. One of the pieces of advice I often share with them is that they are the common denominator in everything they do, say and think each and every day, and they have the power to change things – should they want to.

Today, I start my new job. But before I get into it a little more, here’s a quick summary of where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing the past 3 months.

I was made redundant from my former employer after a 17 year stretch, where I began as a humble  Technical Support Engineer eventually to become a Learning & Development Business Partner. The ‘writing was on the wall’ that eventually my job role would disappear, so the redundancy came as no shock to me and I embraced it fully. In the past 3 months I have caught up with many friends, family and acquaintances, I’ve relaxed, participated in my youngest son’s Year 1 class, done the school drop-off & pickup, as well as stay in shape by running or cycling. I’ve been loving each and every day and doing things I’ve wanted to do as well as doing nothing. It’s been wonderful!

But back to today: I start out in the Hospitality/Food & Beverage industry. As a waiter. 🙂

Yes, that’s right – If I’m to become a wonderful asset to my new company (which is my #1 goal) I need to learn this industry from the ground up, and that starts today. I do not know how long the journey will take or where it will lead, but I cannot wait!

I’m not sure what to expect, but believe it’ll be a day of learning, brain-sapping, nerve-frying excitement, apprehension, concentration & exhaustion wrapped into one period of 10 hours starting this afternoon.

If you need to find inspiration to change your life in any way, feel free to use me as your inspiration or to ask me any questions in the comments below.

 

11 replies on “The next phase of my life”

“I do not know how long the journey will take or where it will lead, but I cannot wait!” Oh, I see what you did there! 🙂

Hey Andrew,
Good Luck with your new venture, I am thinking for such a positive person you are embarking in an industry where you will be surrounded with negativity. Not many people tell a waiter if there meal was OK or good, but the slightest problem with it and you are going to cop it.

I really admire what you are doing, I am doing a similar thing but I am at four and a half years in my “lay off” now, mainly due to health concerns and 2 years of college in the middle. It is a really scary prospect to start afresh at a mature age that’s for sure.
Are you still doing the ride ?.
Like I said best of Luck 🙂
Tony

Love it! I’ve gotta say – one of my favourite jobs to date is having been a waitress. I loved the constant outward contact with customers, I loved putting a smile on people’s face, I love the subtleties of the service industry and how great it was observing human interaction across a table of one of our basest instincts – food.

Looking forward to seeing your updates, as I work up the energy to going back to work myself! 🙂

Excellent! Next meet up I can concentrate on making the coffees while you take orders and deliver them! Best of luck Andrew, I think you’ll be great at it.

HI Andrew, Have fun, its hard at times but also rewarding, do a bit of it myself so i speak from experience, people do compliment and or thank when they are happy with service/food. Yes there are painful customers but the majority are pretty good. Like anything if you enjoy the industry you will have fun. Where have you started your new job?

Andrew
I’ve always known this about you – and here you go again reinforcing this – you’re a bloody inspiration to me mate. Love what you’re doing. The food/hospitality industry is something I’ve often thought about as a career path – in fact last year I even did a stint at Mumu Grill as an apprentice chef with thoughts of heading into commercial kitchens! ( http://post.ly/12S6j )

Cant’ wait to see you and hear all about your new work mate – congratulations!

Cheers,
Tony

Fantastic blog… Years ago when I had lost my way a little, someone gave me a book called “Feel the fear and do it anyway”. I read the first page, quit my stable job rang Compaq – took a job offer over the phone and flew up to Sydney (my first every trip) 2 weeks later sight unseen. I met, worked and lived with the most wonderful people – As an unintentional lesson I found the experience very self empowering and enabling. I wish you well in your new venture & look forward to hear the progress and outcomes as you move forward. xo

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