Four Cheat Codes for Hospitality Success

By Daniel Zolinski | February 16, 2024

At twenty-one years of age, I was clueless. Entering adulthood, all I knew was basketball while staying focused in the classroom. Yet, in the back of my mind, I didn’t know what the future held once it all came to an end. I wanted success…but I had absolutely no idea what that meant or entailed. Instead of enjoying the journey, my future-thinking self was stressed out. If I could go back and teach my twenty-one-year-old self a few lessons, it would have saved me months of struggle and missteps. That is why I want to share four cheat codes – lessons I’ve learned that I wish I would have known earlier on in life. The things that they don’t teach you in the classroom. Consider this your cheat sheet in the Hospitality industry.

Nature is the Greatest Mentor

Running myself ragged with homework and basketball seven days a week, I never took the time to get in touch with nature. Recently, I’ve been doing that. Going on walks and taking trips to tune in to the clarity and wisdom that nature provides. Hospitality is a seven-days-a-week industry and can be very difficult to take a step away. When you can, I encourage you to absorb what nature has to offer. You will be refreshed, and creative ideas will spawn in your brain when you allow them.

Listen to Audiobooks and Run in the Morning

I used to hit snooze over and over, which caused my days to be rushed and scattered. I didn’t really want to get out of bed because I was on the verge of burnout, but getting up early to run while nourishing my mind with audiobooks has changed everything. Allow time for proper rest and enjoy the cool breeze in the morning to start your day right for what the day has in store.

Learn Storytelling

I was always focused on statistics and facts when learning new material in the classroom. We would sit as a team the night before basketball games going over the statistics of players on the opposing team to understand how best to defend them. Data is great, but facts alone don’t compel people in life. Once I studied comedians and screenwriters to understand storytelling’s immense influence, my conversations became far more impactful. If you’re unfamiliar with the fundamentals of storytelling to have a bigger impact in the Hospitality industry, I suggest you read Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks.

Focus on Things That Compound

I spent my early twenties living paycheck to paycheck, having no clue about investing. In the last year, I’ve learned about compound interest and have invested in better assets, which have suddenly made me more money even as I sleep. This is equally true when it comes to building a successful hospitality brand. Small consistent actions create astounding results over time.

There you have it – four cheat codes for improving health, wealth, love, and business! These lessons, although simple, took a while for me to uncover. I am sure that if you dedicate yourself to implementing just one of these, you will notice a radical change in your life.