Parting Blog
Visit http://staceylynnszumiak.blogspot.com for some parting words.
August Rush!
Hello Everyone!
It’s been way too long since the last time I posted. The entire month of July flew by, and August is passing me by even faster! It’s been a marathon and we’re almost at the finish line. I’ve learned so many lessons over these past couple months that cannot be taught in a classroom. First lesson learned is always try and STAY POSITIVE. Stacey’s post is true in so many ways. There is no reason to dwell on little things because how will that help you?! It simply won’t. It’s really hard not to get caught up in the stress, but you just need to take a breath and remember that it will all work out in the end (or go get some Juice Bar and all your life problems will be solved!). It’s all about having the right mindset. I’m still working on that myself!!
Next lesson, the golden rule. Treat others as you would like to be treated. There have been multiple instances this summer when I have felt disrespected, and have had to react in a calm and cool manner. And I ask myself why do people feel the need to put you down and make you feel bad about yourself?? Who knows. There is no answer for that. All you can do is move forward and always remember to stay true and kind. It will hopefully get you places!!
Lesson #3: In the end, hard work will pay off. Working 14 hour days for 2 months was definitely an eye-opener, but it turns out that Belle’s number of attendees have tripled this summer which makes me really happy. Our entire crew works so hard everyday and I’m proud to be a part of such a great team. Also, being recognized as a part contributor to the successes has been a confidence builder and has opened doors for a lot of opportunities!
August has been crazy busy but the end is near…
We have had quite the summer. Stay tuned for more to come : )
-K
Life Isn’t Really So Bad, Is It??
Hello Everyone!
It has been ages since I last posted- I guess you can chalk up my absence to the crazy August rush we had. But, things are starting to die down (slowly). We are all taking a breath, which I think we all need.
After coming home from a 14 hour work day, I am baffled by the negativity that runs rampant amongst so many people. Life can’t really be that bad, can it? The negativity and dramatics have honestly been my only unpleasant experience this summer. The long hours, grueling days, difficult members, and even loneliness and homesickness have been a piece of cake in comparison to the way I am so poorly affected by my coworker’s attitudes. I am not saying that I am completely guilt free of an occasional sour mood, but I can’t quite wrap my mind around how inherently negative so many people are!!
If you’re reading this, please please PLEASE, put on the mindset of positivity, and realize how much your attitude affects everyone around you!
Mid-Season Madness
Hello World!
We have a special guest with us today- Wesley, our head bartender has stopped by to give us a little insight on his experience at TWC. The three of us were sitting in the administrative offices and chatting about how we were feeling at this crazy point mid-season. To vent, we decided to write a blog together, and individually discuss our personal biggest struggles, and biggest encouragements. Without further ado…
Kels–
Biggest encouragement: Being with friends and coworkers and realizing that at the end of the day this is JUST a job and is not a definition of who Kelsey is.
Biggest struggle: Feeling so sucked into her job that it allows for no time to personally reflect.
Wesley–
Biggest encouragement: Bonding with coworkers.
Biggest struggle: What he refers to as “frustration in the wrong direction”. Meaning, taking his frustration out on the coworkers he loves so much. What a big walking paradox!
Stace–
Biggest encouragement: Seeing compassion break barriers.
Biggest struggle: Coming to grips with the raw humanity that I see in other people and in myself –our weaknesses, strengths, qualms, beauties, insecurities, victories, and mistakes….and learning not to be surprised or disappointed when I see the glimpses that I don’t like so much.
We all agree that this has been a challenging but fulfilling experience, and are attempting to take one day at a time and see everyday with a fresh perspective!
When is Good, Good Enough?
One thing I appreciate about working at The Westmoor Club is that we are proactive in receiving feedback from our members. We are a young club, and therefore are not terribly stuck in our ways, and very much appreciate response and suggestions of how we can improve our operation. Therefore, we daily administer surveys to our members, asking questions about their dining and spa experiences, our marketing tactics, and other topics.
This being said, I just finished a conversation with our assistant manager who is seriously bummed out over some of the survey responses we have received in the past few days. As a whole, we have had great feedback from our members. 83% of our members responded that their overall experience in our dining room was very good or exceptional. Members write very encouraging and positive comments about the food, service, and ambiance, and for the most part, people seemed to be very pleased with our dining room this season.
But, there will always be those few people who never and probably will never say anything nice. We of course have a few “disappointing” and “satisfactory” ratings, and comments that our service is “amateur” and pales in comparison to one of the competing clubs on the island.
I tried to encourage my manager not to get too hung up on the negative comments, and that of course we will have run arounds with negative people. But now after reflecting, I am wondering at what point does this acceptance of the occasional negativity become an acceptance of mediocrity? We never can please everyone, but when we take on that mind frame, does that mean we’ve stopped trying?
7
7 lessons I learned last week:
1. Never give 6 servers the task of carrying trays of full champagne glasses. There is a high probability that at least 1/2 of them will be dropped.
2. People aren’t perfect. Don’t be surprised or too disappointed when even the good ones let you down.
3. When I arrived on Nantucket a month ago, I was looking forward to sitting down and eating a whole lobster with a bib, crackers, and lots of butter. Now, after working our 4th of July party during which we served 400 people fresh lobsters, I am repulsed by even the sight of a lobster shell.
4. Late night venting sessions with a glass of wine, 2 bars of chocolate, and 1 good friend are so very healing.
5. When you have a work hangover and feel burned out, there is nothing sweeter than a handwritten letter that lets you know how appreciated you are.
6. Barol0= Nebbiolo, Barbaresco= Nebbiolo, Barbera=Barbera
7. Always have a bottle of Off! bug spray within an arm’s length reach.
- Stace
Rising to the Occasion
Hi Everyone!
It’s been a big week for TWC! There is a never a dull moment here, but I have to admit I quite enjoy the challenge of solving countless problems of all magnitudes everyday.
The biggest change to report is that our Food and Beverage director is no longer with us. For those of you that have been following along, you probably know who this leaves next in command of the F&B Department: Me.
As this plot continues to unfold, I have had a variety of thoughts and feelings about this change in our staffing. I am of course thrilled that I have been given the opportunity to rise to the occasion and function as a true manager, rather than an assistant to one.
However, like a good rollercoaster, with excitment comes a bit of healthy fear. There is probably no need to expound on this fear, as we all know that it naturally comes with more pressure, responsibility, and CHANGE!
Cross your fingers, and prepare yourself, Nantucket Island- TWC has a new dining room manager!
Although this change is a little frightening, I’ll leave you with a quote about change that made me chuckle.
“Change is inevitable except from a vending machine”.
- Robert. C. Gallagher
More updates soon!
XOXO
-Stacey
Confidence and Success
Hi Everyone!
It’s been almost a week and a half since my last blog and I’m very happy to say I am finally working on the yacht ( Belle) ! Preparing for her arrival was a challenge, but I’m glad to say all has gone well so far. The crew is very hospitable, professional, and fun. This makes working a blast and I truly love my job.
Aside from working on the yacht, I am creating a R.A.T.S template for Belle that can be used for future special events interns, or anyone who wants to throw a successful party! My next project is to record marketing efforts, and see how members are reacting. We want to increase the number of attendees on cruises, extra sign-ups for private charters, and even encourage members to utilize TWC’s sport fishing boat. Next week, we are putting Westmoor 1 on display. We are trying to get rid of the “out of sight, out of mind” saying and literally put the boat right in front of them!!
This week I learned a lot about myself. One of the things I learned was that confidence is the key to success, and if you believe in your self and your abilities than you can do anything. Earlier this week, I felt overwhelmed with everything that I needed to accomplish. I’ve always been a confident person, but for some reason the feeling of “little fish, big pond” really affected me and I let it show. My goal this summer is to stop doubting myself, and trust my skills that I know I have.
This week will be a busy one, but I will try and blog again soon!
-Kelsey
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