IS IT “MINDSET” OR “SETTING YOUR MIND”?

A management colleague and a Dubai-based hotelier recently teamed up to drop some wisdom in a post, courtesy of the legendary Jim Rohn: “If you want something, you’ll find a way; if you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.” Talk about dropping truth bombs! These quotes, I tell you, are like life’s cheat codes.

Let’s have a quick “Who’s Jim Rohn?” moment. Jim Rohn, folks, was one of the original millionaire wonder-kids of the 1960s. Imagine being a millionaire before hitting the big 3-1! But here’s the kicker – he also had his bankruptcy phase. He could’ve thrown in the towel, but instead, he decided to dive headfirst into the “Self-Improvement biz.” 

You surely have heard about Conny Hilton, the hotel mogul? Well, turns out he wasn’t exempt from life’s curveballs either. He had his fair share of hurdles while building the Hilton Hotels empire. 

It’s a bit like showbiz – the hotel industry can be fiercely protective of its players. Most successful hoteliers, or at least the excellent majority, will tell you about their rollercoaster rides in their careers. Often, it’s the moment when everything’s peachy that you’ll have to make a game-changing decision. That’s when sticking to the original plan becomes a winner’s move.

But hold on to your hats; here’s a tidbit that’ll tickle your brain. Jim Rohn, the original self-help guru, was the mentor to the motivational maestro Anthony Robbins. 

As luck would have it, I had a front-row seat to the Anthony Robbins show in ’93 in Long Beach, California. Let me tell you, those seminars were pricey – the three-day coaching extravaganza cost me more than my monthly pay-check! But I firmly believed I deserved it; it was an investment in the grand adventure of life and career.

The “Date with Destiny seminar” was a real showstopper, worth every penny. The wisdom from that event has stuck with me like a catchy tune. One of the highlights? You guessed it – mindset. Nowadays, “mindset” is the cool buzzword on every YouTube coaching video and self-help book. It’s all about being positive, right?

But here’s the scoop – the positivity party can be so loud that it sometimes drowns out life’s Yin and Yang. I’m talking about the ups and downs, the rags and riches, and the occasional faceplants. These are all part and parcel of this wild ride we call life. You don’t truly get the awesomeness of being positive until you’ve danced with life’s grumpy side.

Now, let’s rewind to the ’90s – back then, folks didn’t dish out “mindset” talk as casually as today. Mindset, in its purest form, was a bit like your secret sauce – super personal and mysterious.

Now, if you dive into a word hunt for “Mindset” in the dictionary, you might end up with a stack of definitions taller than you! But hey, I’m all about keeping it simple. Break it down, and you have “mind” and “set.” Sounds broad. Without a specific game plan, it’s as vague as a horoscope.

But here’s the fun part – setting your mind on something is like picking your next Netflix binge. Check this out:

• When I hit sweet sixteen, I decided to ditch home and hit the road, exploring the world.
• After the great escape from home, my radar locked onto globetrotting with the hotel industry’s help.
• A few years later, I set my sights on Germany-to-USA emigrating and a gig at a famous hotel.
• Two years later, I aimed higher and decided to become a hotel general manager.
• And then, three years ago, after more adventures than I can count, I thought, “Why not write a book and become a career mentor?”

My no-nonsense definition of “mindset” is this: making a bold decision about something you’re gung-ho about and then sticking to it, no matter what hurdles, haters, or hiccups pop up along the way. 

Speaking of wise words, Henry Ford’s got a zinger that I live by. It’s in my book, “The Perfect Hotel Career”: “Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right.” Guess what? My default mode is “I can do it,” no matter how crazy the circumstances are.

Jim Rohn throws down the gauntlet – find a way or excuse. And Henry Ford? He’s in the “you do you” camp. Both quotes are like friendly nudges to decide and go for it.

But here’s the real kicker – the philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson goes, “A man is what he thinks about all day.” That makes me think that Jim Rohn, Henry Ford, and Anthony Robbins probably stumbled upon this nugget somewhere and thought, “Hey, this needs to be in our vocab!”

Now, let’s get down to brass tacks. We’re all products of our upbringing, education, buddies, and life’s crazy adventures. As we grow, external influences, like the companies we work for, TV ads, and the books we devour, shape us. But here’s the twist – the go-to source of information isn’t your granddad’s dusty bookshelf anymore. It’s all about social media and the infamous “Influencers,” their followers, and online opinion exchanges, especially on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn Learning.

Where do all these opinions and courses come from? Did someone run a fact-check marathon? The number of coaches, resume wizards, investment wizards, and other self-proclaimed experts has been skyrocketing in the past 5 years faster than you can say “selfie.”

And here’s what is so surprising – hardly anyone asks the hard-hitting question: “How do they know?” – or “Are they right?” And don’t even get me started on checking competence. Why? 

Well, hoteliers, my friends, are a busy bunch. They’ll tell you, “My schedule’s crazier than a rollercoaster!” In some corners of the globe, like South Asia and Africa, 12-16 hour workdays are as typical as morning coffee. Even in the prestigious companies I root for, like Marriott, Hilton, or Sheraton, employees and managers often get taken for granted. It’s like a bad episode of “The Office,” only in real life. The culture of cost-cutting, toxic bosses and an oversupply of highly skilled workers and managers don’t help matters. And hey, the USA and Europe aren’t immune – they’ve got their share of workplace quirks, just on a smaller scale.

Now, let’s spill the beans – out of 10 hoteliers, only 2 have a clear-cut goal, and out of those 2, just 1 is riding the “I’m making this happen” wave. The other 8? Sure, they’ve got the education – some even have fancy hotel school diplomas or culinary credentials. But guess what they’re missing? The secret sauce – knowing how to market themselves and be the shiniest apple in the employer’s eye.

So, here’s my two cents: If you’re in that group of 8, it’s time to dive into the world of resume wizardry. Get your cover letter game on point, master the art of interviews, and unlock the secrets of LinkedIn. And remember to work those networking muscles.

Once you’ve got these tools, it’s time to fire up your “mindset” engine. It’s not about throwing job applications around like confetti – it’s about making strategic moves. Whether your dream is to be the F&B Manager, General Manager, Financial Controller, or Executive Housekeeper, there’s no limit to where you can soar. All you need is that “I’ve got my eyes on the prize” attitude. Those with the right mindset and the determination to back it up can conquer mountains. So, have you set your mind on something spectacular?

Now, for those hoteliers who’ve got their game plan mapped out for the next 5 or 10 years, here’s the golden nugget – you’re on the right path. You’re ready for the adventure as long as you have your plan and application arsenal locked and loaded. Keep reading, keep networking, and keep rocking in your chosen field.

And to those who might not have their grand master plan neatly tucked away for the next 5 or 10 years. Don’t worry. You’re not lost in the wilderness but at the crossroads of opportunity. It’s time to add a sprinkle of fun and action to your journey, like a captain of your ship and the uncharted waters ahead teeming with undiscovered treasures. But here’s the twist – you’re also the cartographer who gets to draw the map as you go. Exciting, right?

And here’s where we need to lean back and begin an inner journey of regular self-reflection and self-evaluation. It’s like a ritual, a spa day for your mind and career. Every hotelier, no matter their vintage, should give it a whirl. 

Take a good, long look at your journey so far. Celebrate your wins and offer a friendly nod to your oops moments. And if you’re stuck in a maze of mirrors, trying to decide which way to go, I’m your guy. I’m a good listener; I care; I am not a Webinar person; I provide personal services.I’ll give you the scoop when necessary. Most importantly, I’m in it for the long haul. This isn’t a one-time gig – it’s a journey we’re on together.

Each young hotelier charting his or her course begins a journey into the unknown. Nobody knows what’s behind the horizon, nobody can forecast the weather perfectly. So, don’t be shy, seek advise and – take advantage of my free career call. Drop your specific query in the contact message, and I’ll be there with bells on. But hey, let’s spice things up a bit – try to be more specific. Generic inquiries like “help with my CV” or “I want some coaching” sometimes get lost in the digital Bermuda Triangle.

To your journey ahead!

Helmut H Meckelburg