THIS WEEK WE’RE TAKING A DETOUR! ANTHONY IS OFF ATTENDING THE ANNUAL CATERSOURCE CONFERENCE IN MIAMI, WHERE AMONG OTHER TOPICS, HE’LL BE EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF HEART LEADERSHIP. SPEAKING OF WHICH, REGISTRATION FOR OUR VERY OWN HEART LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP IS NOW OPEN! YOU CAN FIND ALL THE DETAILS HERE. I’LL SAVE YOU SOME TIME AND READING THOUGH BY LETTING YOU KNOW IT’S GOING TO BE AWESOME! BE SURE TO REGISTER SOON AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INTRODUCTORY PRICING. AND AFTER YOU’RE DONE REGISTERING, COME BACK FOR A MOMENT TO READ A CHAPTER ABOUT THE ‘WORLD ACCORDING TO SAM’.

What is your first reaction when you see a “Detour Ahead” sign? If I had to guess, it probably includes a four-letter word! Our reaction is rarely associated with a response like, “Oh neat, a detour, can’t wait!” or “Thank goodness, there’s probably danger ahead, this is likely for my safety, or maybe even infrastructure improvements.” The reason is simple; we’ve been conditioned to get to where we’re going as fast as possible (which perhaps I’ll write a follow-up chapter entitled, “Why are you speeding?”). Like you, I am a huge fan of efficiency, however, I challenge you to detour your approach to detours.

Detour with a capitol “D”

I set out to be an architect, and with a lot of student debt and 6 years later, landed in the middle of the Great Recession. It wasn’t the start to my adult life and career that I imagined. It was one heck of a detour, and I think I used a four-letter word, too. Despite this, I knew at the time that I was lucky it was happening at the beginning of my life. I didn’t have to experience the devastation of being in the middle of a nice career and raising a family, only to be told I was being laid off. In fact, for me it was actually quite nice since my new roommates paid my rent and cooked dinner (thank you Mom’s & Pop’s for letting me crash your retirement dreams for a couple years).

Although this wasn’t the route I had in mind, it turned out to be awesome! I got to spend a bunch of quality time with my folks, learning about their upbringings and lives pre-children. I bonded with my dad over cars and space and man-stuff (we would watch NASA Spacewalks that were airing on TV, and to this day, I still tune in for them)! And with mom, I discovered that she’s actually the funny one (and swears too).

Most importantly though, this detour put me on the road to a now 13-years-and-counting career with the Footers Family. Maybe 2008 doesn’t go down the way it did and I have a happy and successful career in architecture? And maybe I don’t? That’s not the point. The only thing that matters is that my detour has led me to an amazing place and I’ve had a lot of fun along the way. There’s not enough room here to adequately capture the opportunities, adventures, and relationships this detour has afforded me, but know this; I’ve enjoyed the hell out of it!

detour with a lower-case “d”

Sometimes your life takes a Detour. And sometimes your day, or month, or year takes a detour. For me, and perhaps many of you, what this currently looks like right now is having to exit off of I-thought I’d be doing x, and re-routed through Highway 2-bad so-sad you actually need to be doing y right now. I was on a newly paved road to a refreshed position with roles and responsibilities that are more closely aligned with my strengths, passions, and abilities. It’s become apparent that I won’t get back on that road until 2022.

Now, I’m in pure execution mode to ensure that the day-to-day operations are running as smooth as possible. This road is a little dirtier and a little bumpier, yet I’ve seen and done some cool s*&#! On this detour, I’ve had the opportunity to improve our organization systems in our warehouse, build camaraderie with both Front of House and Back of House teams, create better relationships with our vendor partners, work at some gorgeous new venues in our area, and so on. I can say that I’m enjoying this too.

Literally a detour

And then there’s the detours while you’re driving. These can be enjoyable too, if you let them. I was forced to discover a new way home just this past weekend, and it actually might be faster? My favorite though, is when you have to go through a new part of town or a different street, and you see a cool house or business or park that you never realized was under your nose the entire time. How sweet is that?!

The next time you’re forced to take a different route, add “-yeah!” to the end of your four-letter word! A detour is just a green light on a different road. It may be slower. Enjoy the break in the fast-paced nature of life. It may be faster. Enjoy everything that more time can afford you. It may be more adventurous. Enjoy the scenery. It may not live up to your expectations. Enjoy that you’re still moving forward. It may even introduce you to your significant other. Enjoy the memories you create together.

- Sam, Enjoyer of Detours