🌱 8 Principles of Mental Fitness for Independent Restaurant Owners

A 2 min read.

Running a restaurant can be as mentally demanding as it is physically exhausting. As an independent restaurant owner or operator, you're juggling the needs of your team, guests, and bottom line—often leaving little time to focus on your own mental well-being. That's where mental fitness comes in. Just as you prioritize the health of your business, it’s essential to invest in your own mental strength.

Read more about my journey of becoming a mentally fit leader in my new book, The Hospitality Leader’s Roadmap: Move from Ordinary to Extraordinary, available on Amazon October 15th.

Here are 8 principles of mental fitness that can help you stay sharp, reduce burnout, and lead with confidence:

1. Awareness:
Awareness is the foundation of mental fitness. It’s about understanding your thoughts, feelings, and reactions in the moment. Recognize when stress is creeping in or when you're operating on autopilot. Awareness helps you stay grounded and make clearer decisions, both for yourself and your business.

2. Mindset Mastery:
A strong mindset allows you to face challenges head-on. Instead of focusing on what’s going wrong, shift your attention to solutions. Embrace a growth mindset that views setbacks as opportunities for learning rather than failures. This principle is key to bouncing back from tough shifts and managing long-term change.

3. Emotional Regulation:
In a high-pressure environment like a restaurant, emotional control is essential. Learning to regulate your emotions ensures you're making decisions from a calm, rational place rather than reacting out of frustration or stress. Techniques like deep breathing or taking a short walk can do wonders for your emotional balance.

4. Boundaries:
Setting boundaries—both at work and in your personal life—is vital. Without clear boundaries, it’s easy to become overwhelmed, leading to burnout. Establish limits on your availability, delegate tasks, and make time for rest. Remember, boundaries aren't just for others; they're for you too.

5. Resilience:
Building resilience means bouncing back quickly when things don’t go as planned. Whether it’s a service disaster or a staff shortage, resilience allows you to recover without letting setbacks define you. This quality will keep you moving forward, even in the face of unexpected challenges.

6. Focus:
Focus is a muscle that needs regular training. Distractions are plentiful in the restaurant industry, but mental fitness involves honing your ability to concentrate on the task at hand. Prioritize your time and stay disciplined about eliminating distractions, so you can perform at your best when it matters most.

7. Self-Care:
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Prioritizing self-care—whether it’s regular exercise, time with loved ones, or simply getting enough sleep—is crucial for maintaining mental stamina. When you're at your best, your restaurant will be too.

8. Support Systems:
No one succeeds alone. Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you, whether that’s mentors, peers, or family members. Building a strong support system helps you stay mentally fit, providing guidance and perspective when you need it most.

Mental fitness is just as important as the daily operations of your restaurant. By focusing on these eight principles, you'll not only strengthen your leadership skills but also create a more balanced, productive, and fulfilling work life.

To dive deeper into how you can implement these principles and boost your restaurant’s success, visit my website at christinmarvin.com. You'll find resources, coaching programs, and workshops designed to help independent restaurant owners like you lead with confidence and clarity.

P.S. 

For more leadership development, here are some additional resources for you:

1. My book, The Hospitality Leader’s Roadmap: Move from Ordinary to Extraordinary will be available on Amazon October 15th in paperback, ebook and audiobook.

2. Tune into the No Hesitations Podcast Episode 32 : How to Lead with Clarity : 5 Strategies for Effective Restaurant Management

3. Contact me for a strategy session about overcoming your biggest challenge at christinlmarvin@gmail.com and start transforming your mindset, your restaurant, and your life today!

🌱 Unlocking Success with Positive Intelligence: A Guide for Restaurant Operators

A 2 min read.

Running a successful restaurant is no small feat. From managing staff and ensuring guest satisfaction to juggling finances and maintaining high standards, the challenges are immense. But what if there was a way to enhance your mental resilience, improve your decision-making, and boost your overall well-being? Enter Positive Intelligence (PQ).

What is Positive Intelligence?

Positive Intelligence, developed by Shirzad Chamine, is the measure of the strength of your positive mental muscles versus the negative. In simpler terms, it’s about cultivating a mindset that helps you thrive rather than just survive. This concept revolves around identifying and weakening your “Saboteurs” — the negative voices in your head that generate stress, self-doubt, and unhappiness — and strengthening your “Sage” — the positive part of your brain that generates calm, clarity, and creativity.

To learn more about how to measure and strengthen your PQ, let’s connect at ChristinMarvin.com

Why Does Positive Intelligence Matter for Restaurant Operators?

1. Enhanced Decision-Making: As a restaurant operator, you make countless decisions daily. Positive Intelligence helps you approach these decisions with a clear, calm, and focused mind, reducing impulsivity and improving outcomes.

2. Stress Reduction: The hospitality industry is notorious for its high-stress environment. Strengthening your PQ can help you manage stress more effectively, leading to better health and job satisfaction.

3. Improved Leadership: Positive Intelligence enhances emotional intelligence, making you a more empathetic and effective leader. This can lead to improved staff morale, retention, and productivity.

4. Resilience and Adaptability: The ability to bounce back from setbacks is crucial in the ever-changing restaurant industry. A high PQ fosters resilience and adaptability, enabling you to navigate challenges more gracefully.

How to Build Positive Intelligence

Building your PQ involves three core practices:

1. Intercepting Saboteurs: The first step is to identify and intercept your Saboteurs. These are the negative thought patterns that sabotage your performance and happiness. Common Saboteurs include the Judge (which criticizes yourself and others), the Stickler (which insists on perfection), and the Pleaser (which seeks to gain acceptance by pleasing others). By becoming aware of these Saboteurs, you can start to diminish their power over you.

2. Strengthening the Sage: The Sage represents the positive, wise, and resourceful part of your brain. Cultivating Sage powers involves shifting your mindset to focus on empathy, curiosity, creativity, and calm. Techniques such as mindfulness, visualization, and positive affirmations can help strengthen your Sage.

3. Building PQ Muscles: Like any muscle, your PQ muscles grow stronger with consistent exercise. Simple practices like taking deep breaths, practicing gratitude, and engaging in regular meditation can significantly boost your Positive Intelligence.

Practical Tips for Restaurant Operators

- Mindful Mornings: Start your day with a few minutes of mindfulness or meditation to set a positive tone.

- Gratitude Practice: Regularly acknowledge and appreciate the positive aspects of your work and team through journaling.

- Set a Daily Intention: Choose one positive area of focus daily to ensure you are leading with positivity when you begin each day.

The Impact of Positive Intelligence

Implementing Positive Intelligence practices can transform not only your mindset but also your restaurant’s culture. A positive, resilient leader fosters a positive, resilient team. This leads to improved guest experiences, higher staff retention, and ultimately, greater success for your restaurant.

In the demanding world of restaurant operations, developing Positive Intelligence can be a game-changer. By intercepting Saboteurs, strengthening your Sage, and building your PQ muscles, you can enhance your leadership, reduce stress, and create a thriving work environment. Embrace Positive Intelligence today and unlock the full potential of your restaurant and yourself.

To learn how to master the 3 core practices involved in building your Positive Intelligence, visit ChristinMarvin.com

P.S. 

For more leadership development, here are some additional resources for you:

1. Tune into the No Hesitations Podcast Episode 32 : How to Lead with Clarity : 5 Strategies for Effective Restaurant Management

2. To grow your leadership in just 5 minutes a day, join my 12 Day Leadership Challenge.

3. Contact me for a strategy session about overcoming your biggest challenge at christinlmarvin@gmail.com and start transforming your mindset, your restaurant, and your life today!

________________________________

Chamine, Shirzad. Positive Intelligence: Why Only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential AND HOW YOU CAN ACHIEVE YOURS. Austin, TX: Greenleaf Book Group Press, 2016

🌱Ditch the Manager Meetings: Why One-on-Ones Are Your Secret Weapon

A 3 min read.

As independent restaurant owners and operators, time is one of your most valuable resources. Every moment counts, especially when juggling the myriad tasks that come with running a successful establishment. Traditional manager meetings, often packed with updates and varying agendas, can feel like a drain on this precious resource. It's time to rethink this approach and consider the benefits of one-on-one meetings instead.

Here’s The Problem with Traditional Manager Meetings

Manager meetings are usually a staple in restaurant management. However, they often become sessions filled with updates that could easily be communicated via email or during daily interactions. Here's why they may not be the best use of your team's time:

1. Different Skill Levels and Agendas: In a typical manager meeting, attendees are at various skill levels and have different priorities. This can lead to disjointed discussions, lack of engagement and a lack of focus on what truly matters.   

2. Information Overload: Meetings packed with updates can lead to information overload, making it hard for managers to retain and act on what's important.

3. Time Consumption: These meetings can consume valuable time that could be better spent on the floor, interacting with staff, enhancing recipes and addressing immediate issues.

If you’d like help navigating make the change from meetings to one-on-ones with your leadership team, I can help. Let’s connect at christinlmarvin@gmail.com

The Importance of Alignment and Connection

While it's crucial for everyone to be on the same page regarding the business vision and goals, this alignment doesn't necessarily require frequent group meetings. Connection, camaraderie, and teamwork are essential, but there are more efficient ways to achieve these without lengthy, unfocused gatherings.

Alternatives to Traditional Meetings

Here are some effective alternatives to foster connection and ensure alignment without the inefficiencies of traditional manager meetings:

1. One-on-One Meetings: These personalized sessions allow for focused, meaningful conversations tailored to each manager's needs and development. Here are tips for effective one-on-ones:

   - Set Clear Agendas: Have a specific focus for each meeting. Discuss performance, goals, and any challenges the manager is facing.

   - Use Active Listening: Make these sessions a safe space for managers to voice their concerns and ideas.

   - Provide Constructive Feedback: Use this time to offer targeted feedback and guidance, helping managers grow and improve.

2. Daily Pre-Shift Meetings: Short, focused meetings held at the start of each day can help ensure everyone is aligned on daily goals and tasks without delving into extensive updates. If your team comes in at staggered times, take 5 minutes at the beginning of each shift to give them updates. 

3. Regular Team-Building Activities: Foster camaraderie and teamwork through regular activities outside of the usual work environment. This could be a team lunch, an outing, or even a fun, informal gathering at the end of a busy week.

Tips for Running More Effective Meetings

If you decide to continue with traditional manager meetings, here are some tips to make them more effective:

1. Have a Clear Agenda: Outline the purpose and topics of the meeting in advance to keep discussions focused and relevant. Keep the agenda short inorder to make time for conversation and questions.

2. Limit Meeting Time: Keep meetings short and to the point. Aim for 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the complexity of the topics. According to research, engagement levels start declining after 30 minutes. 

3. Encourage Participation: Ensure all attendees have the opportunity to speak and contribute. This can prevent the meeting from being dominated by a few voices. A great way to do this is to have a different manager present a topic each week about their expertise in the restaurant.   

4. Follow Up: Send a summary of the meeting with key takeaways and action items to ensure everyone is clear on what was discussed and what needs to be done. This will help keep your team on task and you hold them accountable if tasks are not being completed.

While traditional manager meetings have their place, they often aren't the most efficient way to ensure alignment and foster connection. By shifting towards one-on-one meetings and incorporating other strategies for team-building and daily alignment, restaurant owners and operators can make better use of their time and enhance the effectiveness of their management teams. Remember, the goal is to create an environment where every manager feels heard, supported, and aligned with the restaurant's vision, ultimately leading to a more cohesive and successful team.

To start rethinking your team communication and development, email me at christinlmarvin@gmail.com

P.S. 

For more leadership development, here are some additional resources for you:

1. Tune into the No Hesitations Podcast Episode 32 : How to Lead with Clarity : 5 Strategies for Effective Restaurant Management

2. To grow your leadership in just 5 minutes a day, join my 12 Day Leadership Challenge.

3. Contact me for a strategy session about overcoming your biggest challenge at christinlmarvin@gmail.com and start transforming your mindset, your restaurant, and your life today!

🌱Mentally Fit Hospitality (What 'The Bear' is Not)

A 2 min read.

Picture this: a cramped kitchen filled with the clanging of pots and pans, the constant shouting of orders, and the hurried footsteps of overworked chefs. The air is thick with tension as the team struggles to keep up with the relentless pace of dinner service. Mistakes are made, tempers flare, and the pressure mounts with every passing minute. This chaotic scene, vividly portrayed in the TV show The Bear, is a stark example of an unmentally fit team.

In such an environment, the toll on mental health is palpable. Stress and burnout are rampant, and the team’s ability to function effectively and harmoniously is compromised. Unlike the fictional portrayal in The Bear, a mentally fit team operates with resilience, clear communication, and a balanced approach to challenges.

If the scenario above feels uncomfortably familiar to you, I can help. Let’s connect at christinlmarvin@gmail.com

What is Mental Fitness?

Mental fitness refers to the state of your mental health and well-being. It involves the ability to manage emotions effectively, cope with stress, and maintain a positive outlook on life. For restaurant owners and operators, mental fitness is crucial as it directly impacts your ability to lead and maintain a thriving business.

Being mentally fit means having the resilience to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to changes, and maintain emotional balance during tough times. It allows you to regulate your emotions, maintain healthy relationships with your team, and achieve important goals.

Like physical fitness, mental fitness is not a static state but a continuous process requiring ongoing effort and attention. It can be improved with regular practice and the right strategies.

Mental Fitness in the Hospitality Industry

In hospitality, we pride ourselves on being some of the hardest working, most adaptable, and highly functional people around. We juggle long hours, manage countless problems during shifts, and run every station with expertise. We are true badasses!

However, this relentless drive comes at a mental cost. Managing costs, ingredients, product consistency, and guest satisfaction is an all-encompassing task. It’s easy to carry work home, both mentally and physically. As leaders, we often extend our guidance beyond our shifts, sometimes even on our days off.

Over the years, I’ve realized that while I excel at giving, I struggle with receiving – whether it’s help from others or time for myself. My passion for hospitality stems from a desire for connection with both staff and guests. I love saying yes to guest requests whenever possible.

I've spent much of my career pushing forward with relentless ambition, always striving to prove myself. Yet, in hindsight, the times I allowed myself to slow down – to meditate, exercise, or simply rest – were the periods of greatest growth and success. Balancing rest and action has been key to building resilience and achieving sustained development. As I reflect on my journey, I realize that these small changes made a significant impact on my well-being and effectiveness as a leader. Here are three practical tips to help you and your team achieve mental fitness:

3 Tips to Achieve Mental Fitness

1. Prioritize Self-Care:

Just like scheduling a staff meeting or a service shift, make time for self-care. Whether it's meditation, a massage, or a workout, prioritize activities that help you recharge. Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for maintaining mental health and resilience.

2. Set Boundaries:

Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Learn to say no when necessary and delegate tasks to your team. This not only prevents burnout but also empowers your staff by giving them more responsibility and trust.

3. Practice Mindfulness:

Incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine. Simple techniques like deep breathing, mindful walking, or a few moments of meditation can help you stay grounded and reduce stress. Mindfulness enhances your ability to handle the pressures of the hospitality industry with a calm and focused mind.

Painting the Picture

Now, imagine your team again, but this time in a real restaurant setting. The kitchen is a hive of calm efficiency, with chefs collaborating effortlessly. The front-of-house staff glides through their tasks, intuitively meeting the needs of every guest. Communication is clear, energy is positive, and the restaurant operates like a well-oiled machine. The atmosphere is welcoming, guests are delighted, and your team is both capable and connected.

This is the power of mental fitness – a harmonious, efficient, and resilient team, ready to face anything. Prioritize mental fitness, and watch your restaurant and team flourish like never before.

To learn more about mental fitness, email me at christinlmarvin@gmail.com

P.S. 

For more leadership development, here are some additional resources for you:

1. Tune into the No Hesitations Podcast Episode 32 : How to Lead with Clarity : 5 Strategies for Effective Restaurant Management

2. To grow your leadership in just 5 minutes a day, join my 12 Day Leadership Challenge.

3. Contact me for a strategy session about overcoming your biggest challenge at christinlmarvin@gmail.com and start transforming your mindset, your restaurant, and your life today!