How to Move Faster Than Everyone in Hospitality  

By Daniel Zolinski | September 5, 2024

I was scrolling through my camera roll when my July memories popped up. I spent the Fourth of July in Phoenix, Arizona, which made me reminisce about the hiking aspect of the trip. The powerful lesson I learned was that “slow is smooth and smooth is fast.” Navigating rugged terrain forces you to be intentional with every step. Move too quickly, and you might stumble, but if you get your footing right, you’ll cruise through the steepest climbs. Building a hospitality business is the same: True velocity isn’t just about speed but about moving in the right direction. On the hike and in business, I focus on five principles that help me move faster than everyone else:

1. Velocity = Speed + Direction
   Just as a compass guides you through the mountains, your inner compass should guide your business. Align your direction before accelerating. If your inner compass is calibrated, perfect. If you haven’t given your life direction, do it before someone else does.
2. Avoid Burnout
   Personally, this is one I struggle with. I often become impatient and want results immediately, but it’s crucial to focus on the inputs rather than the outputs. Ascending the mountain too fast leads to altitude sickness, and in hospitality, pushing too hard leads to fatigue. Remain focused and work hard, but understand your boundaries. Pace yourself for the long climb, and the results will come.
3. Narrow Your Focus
   On narrow cliffside paths, you can’t afford missteps. In your work, focus on your zone of genius. If you take on too many tasks, you’ll lose clarity and end up tumbling back down the mountain. Distractions are endless, so your greatest superpower is keeping the peripheral blinders up from things pulling you away from your zone of genius.
4. Imperfect Action Over Perfect Inaction
   There are some “scenic routes” taken on my hikes. Some are intentional, and others are unplanned. Each misstep or change of direction improved my judgment of the terrain. Indecision hurts more than making the wrong decision and learning from it. Judgment improves with practice. Keep trying, and you’ll be just fine.
5. Take Massive Action
   Dream big. Start small. Act now. Refer to the five-second rule: If you know you need to do something, get started within five seconds. This approach cuts overthinking and helps you learn quicker.

These principles might seem obvious, but it’s easy to become impatient and discouraged when results aren’t instant. Trust yourself and your work. Do your best every day, and you’ll be prouder and learn more about yourself in the process.