The “Bagel Philosopher”
May 19, 2010
Last week, I told you about the guy in the bagel shop who came up with a simple but elegant process to nearly double the throughput at the store. What I didn’t mention is that he was also a philosopher of sorts – a keen observer of life from behind the counter. Let me explain…
In case you missed last weeks’ issue, here’s a quick summary: before the server behind the counter puts the cream cheese on the current customer’s bagel, he takes the next customer’s order. Since most people like their bagels toasted, he cuts the next person’s bagel, puts it in the toaster, and then completes the first customer’s bagel.
By doing this, he avoids making everyone wait – including himself – while the bagel makes its way through the conveyor on the toaster.
I immediately recognized this as brilliant – in the same way I’m always impressed when the banquet people at a hotel actually pull the tables away from the wall – allowing people to access the food from both sides of the buffet table.
When I complimented him on this process, I also observed that it really only worked if everyone wanted the bagel toasted. He said, “Yeah, that’s kind of important, but it’s kind of like life – everything usually works out at the end of the day.”
As I listened to those words, it occurred to me how they weren’t limited to preparing bagels, but, in fact, they applied to most aspects of life. Virtually every day we face challenges – some minor, some more serious, and some on a level that they can bring everything to a grinding halt.
What I’ve noticed is that in most cases, ultimately things do work out okay – it just doesn’t seem like it at the time. Or, in the words of the bagel guy, “Everything usually works out at the end of the day.”
That’s true. It’s just that sometimes it’s a really long day.
So the next time you find yourself faced with an overwhelming obstacle, try not to let the sheer enormity of it defeat you. Rather, try to find a solution; work at it one step at a time; and remember that most things do eventually work themselves out.
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