Every day we make countless decisions. We make short term decisions like what to eat, what kind of clothing to buy and when to get a haircut or when to go out for dinner . It is this kind of decisions we make out of habit, due to education and upbringing and personal preferences. They usually have no long term impact on the way we live our life unless you have healthy or unhealthy habits which will harm you in the long run. Then we make decisions where the results will help us to advance in life, like learning an additional language, learning an instrument, beginning an apprenticeship, studying at a University or learning new special skills or travelling to far away countries.
And then there are – what I call- Power Decisions. These are decisions which have the power to change your life. Tony Robbins says: The power of decisions shape your destiny. It is my very personal opinion, that everyone in this world will – at one stage in life – have the choice to either make power decisions and take their life to a higher level or not to make one and settle for the status quo. It is not about right or wrong. It is about getting a life you desire and a life you enjoy and actively create your own reality or remain in your present environment and circumstances . The choice is of course yours.
Once you have made a power decision you will be noticing the new found energy. You will realize how your decision is propelling you instantly towards a new life you are destined to live. This happens when You add “Action Taking” into the equation. My own Power Decision happened very spontaneously. It was a statement, someone else had made, that I would not be able to find a job in New York. I simply decided to buy a ticket to New York City and to get myself a management position in a 5 star hotel in Manhattan. I never allowed doubt or a “what if.. questions” to enter my mind. I did not worry about my resume or my very limited language ability. I just did it and got what I had asked for. I remember the moment, when I stepped out of this great hotel between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue with an employment contract in my hands. My job search had lasted 6 days and had cost me a roundtrip ticket from Berlin to New York. This single decision and the action I had taken, shaped my entire career and life.
Horst Schulze, the former CEO and Chairman of the Ritz-Carlton hotel company made his decision early in life. He had a deep desire to work in a hotel. He followed his inspiration and made his decision; against the wish of the family and close acquaintances. He did not give in and insisted on his destination. He completed his apprenticeship at the Kur Hotel in Bad Neuenahr, not to far from where I am writing this post. He surely had a great teacher and mentor and if you have read his book “Excellence Wins” you will have a good understanding of the driving force and the foundation which made him one of the great hoteliers of our times. He too was standing in front of the Waldorf=Astoria hotel in New York. Looking up the building with a burning desire, the driving force behind his great philosophy and ultimate success.
Fastforward to the year 1998; the same Horst Schulze offered me a job with Ritz-Carlton Hotels. We were sitting in the Members Lounge of the Royal Abjar hotel in Dubai when he made me the offer. I did not recognize, nor did I appreciate this phantastic opportunity and the value preposition. I was to young and to cocky. Joining Ritz would have taken my career to a higher level all together. But as I said before; I did not recognize the opportunity and generosity of his offer and decided to follow the call of money and title in another company. In hindsight, I know what the outcome would have been. It is one of the reasons, why I started thecareerhotelier.com – to help young and aspiring hoteliers in their search for the right career path within the hotel industry.
As you progressing in your career, chances are high that at one moment, an opportunity will present itself to you. It will come “undercover” in most cases. You might not even notice it at first. Therefore it is important that when you recognize this opportunity, do not let it pass by. This happens to all of us during the run of our career. Important is that you decide in line with your vision of your future and not just based on the amount you can earn. It is equally important that you decide to join the company which is right for you. It means that you should know the company, its vision and mission and take some time to get an understanding of the companies culture and ethical fabric. What I am saying, when decision time knocks on the door, make an information based decision which is aligned with your own ambition and career goal.
Once the moment has come and you have decided to become a Hotelier you must free yourself from any doubt, if you made the right decision. Do not sabotage yourself ! Rather invest sufficient time in finding out what you want and then make the decision. But once you made the decision, compare yourself to Columbus, who never doubted himself and in the process discovered America. You have made a commitment to yourself.
There is however one very important aspect when making a destiny shaping decision. Spent time with yourself and never, ever let others decide for you. I know, that some will speak about their plans with family, friends and even coaches. I myself am a mentor who provides advice. Everyone – including myself will have your best interests in mind. However, please never forget this: At the end of the day, it is you who will have to make the decision and follow through. Where to your decision will take you is 100% up to you and the actions you will take. My own advise is based on my upbringing, life experiences and choices I made. So is that of your parents and members of your family, teachers and friends. Their advise to you is a reflection of their own experiences and learnings. It is ok to learn and listen but ultimately you must follow your own inspiration and desire.
A power decision is that kind of decision, where you will almost automatically know what kind of action you will have to take and that is the key . You are no longer just “interested” in a potential hotel career. You are now committed to what kind of hotelier and person you want to become. Using “power decisions” provides you with the ability to eliminate any “if´s and but´s”. It can change your work environment in a moment. You can use it for the level of physical fitness you desire. You can choose the country you want to work and live at. It all depends on your desires and goals. I want to maintain this framework simply for your career choices. But as you see, the choices you make for your career will also have an impact on the way you will live.
On the way to your desired destination you will have to make many more decisions. Some are strategic by nature and some are emotional. The ultimate destination is only the first, yet the most important one. If you have started to follow me and read my blogs you will notice, that I often refer to Anthony Robbins and his book “Awaken the giant within”. I have read his books several times. He describes in depth and in a very holistic manner the power of decisions. If you are seriously committed to move forward in your career and in your life you have to buy it read it and follow through with his recommendations. As I said many times before, there are many books written about how you can improve your life. Maybe they use a different wording and phrases, but they all take their origin and ideas from Tony. I have attended three life seminars with him in the early 1990ties in California and they have truly helped me to shape my life. As you start your journey in the hotel business you can trust me. You have made an excellent choice !
The hotel industry provides so many opportunities in such a wide spectrum of jobs and people. It does not matter, where You are from, it does not matter if You are an Introvert or Extrovert, if You are a creative and free spirit or if You are of a more logical and structured person. The hotel industry has definitely something for You. Another beauty is, that you do not need a University degree, even though in Europe and the USA a nominable education is required. And even then, if your schooling background lacks a certain standard, you still have options, which can take you to a position you are aspiring. There are many examples of hoteliers who began their career in the dishwashing- or housekeeping department of a hotel. I myself am one of them. In my book “The Perfect Hotel Career” you will find the blueprint. Other books, I do recommend for your reading are on the resources page of thecareerhotelier.com
I am sure you will make the best out of this. I thank you for sharing my post with your peers and friends and I am there if you have any questions. Good luck on your journey.