Every morning, hundreds of thousands of people go through the routine of getting ready for their day. For you, this may include a shower, shave, iron the shirt, quick chat with the spouse, then out the door. Halfway through the morning, you need a jolt of energy to get you to lunch.
“Intern!!!” you yell.
“Small americano please.” On the way to the local coffee shop, the young go-getter (unofficial title) is anxious about getting all of the orders right. Turns out you weren’t the only one need a caffeine fix. Finally at the coffee shop, the order is placed. The barista prepares the drinks with expertise and care.

After what seems like days and days, you receive your drink.

Ahh, sweet relief. All thanks to the guy on the other side of the espresso machine.

Local flavors are the best. They give you a good taste of the culture. What the people are about. That is what drew me to the Frothy Monkey (the coffee shop I’ve worked in since May ‘09.) I fell in love with the monkey after my first visit. The local art hanging on the brick walls of this old corner building was where I wanted to be. It’s where I wanted to work. Ever since I was a Junior in high school, I had wanted to work there. Application after application, My name was ALL UP IN that place. Finally, I walked in, talked with the owner, and got the job. Since then, I’ve come to know great coffee and learned some great skills. Skills that can apply to any person or any business.

I know what you’re saying.
“I wonder if this guy could make me a cup o’ joe.” The answer: “That’s not the question you were supposed to ask.” 

How can correct tamping pressure, shot extraction time, proper milk stretching technique, and knowing the different origins of a variety of coffees help out the Fortune 500 CEO on the front of Success Magazine?

Monkey Success. That’s how. Here are a few amazing tips for success that I’ve learned in my time behind the steam wand:

Ask for the recipe
There were many times when I first started that I didn’t know recipes well or just wasn’t sure. Sometimes I forget what the customer asked for. What a dilemma! What if I made the drink wrong?

Solution: ask.

There are so many times that we face something we don’t know how to handle. We say “God, why did you give us this task when you know we have no idea how to handle it?” Ask someone for help. Someone you know has gone through what you are going through. Humble yourself and ask. Not only are you gaining knowledge that will help you and help those that come to you seeking your wisdom, but you are helping the person you ask fulfill their purpose and put their trials to use.

Don’t let the dishes pile up
Dishes. The one thing I hate most about food service. They never stop coming. Once the sink is empty, here comes another plate. Man I hate dishes. The only thing I hate more than washing dishes is washing a lot of dishes! Here’s how I cope. I don’t let them pile up. When something gets dirty, I was it right then if I can. I try not to say to myself, “I’ll do them later” because when I say that, people come in and I have to tend to them. Then more dishes fill the sink. If I am constantly trying keep the sink empty. This means that I am constantly doing something, but this is, as I’ve found out, exponentially easier than doing them all at once.

When you have tasks that you need to do, don’t put them off. If you do, they begin to pile up and get bigger. When you finally start, other more important things will come up, and those little things never get done. You will find yourself stressed and aggravated at the little things because there are so many.

Don’t do it for the tips
Officially, Frothy Monkey employees do not take tips. We don’t have a tip jar, but we have an “extra change” plate for our customers who just don’t like money. People like their money. In short, I don’t get many tips. but that’s not why I do it. Heck, I get minimum wage, so you know I’m not in it for the money. But Rod, if you aren’t making a fortune fixing coffee for people, why have you worked so hard at getting to the level of expertise that you are currently at?

I’m glad you asked. I do it because I love it. I simply love coffee. I love pulling shots of espresso. I love the texture of well prepared milk. I love the smell, the feel, the experience. There are many things that I do not enjoy about the job (long lonely hours, dishes, etc), but above all of those things, I love coffee. You have to fall in love with whatever it is you are doing. You have to have a deep compelling reason to do what you do if you want to be successful.

Sip espresso
It pains me to hear someone ask “with an extra shot. it’s going to be a long day.” Yes, espresso has caffeine. Heck, espresso IS caffeine. But if you would like energy, get an energy drink. Or instant coffee. *shudder* Those are cheaper options than your $4.50 latte. Espresso is meant to be sipped and savored. It’s meant to be mulled over and examined. It is meant to be experienced, not merely chugged.  When you take the time to sip and experience an espresso, you are able to experience the details that go unnoticed otherwise. There are hints of many different flavors and aromas that you can pick up on when you take your time and really analyze what is in your demitasse.

My point is not to rush those things that may seem menial and unimportant. When you take your time and really look for the details in life, you can find the beauty that Robert Frost writes about. You are able to savor the moment you are in. Living for the moment allows you to take advantage of opportunities you miss if all you live for is tomorrow.

Know your menu
In any coffee shop, there are more options than you can shake a stick at. I took me a while, but now I know every recipe like the back of my hand. (I know the back of my hand pretty well. This is a long post that I typed!) I have learned how much chocolate goes into a mocha, how much milk for a cappuccino, and if someone has a question, I am able to answer it with ease.

The Bible says to “study to show yourself approved.” If you want to be successful in whatever it is that you do, invest your time, effort, and yes even your money into learning everything you can. “Leaders are readers” and “Learners are earners” are a couple of sayings I’ve heard a lot. If those aren’t real sayings, I claim them Investing in yourself can be the key for your success. I have invested hundreds of dollars and countless hours into learning more about Network Marketing, writing, building websites, and things of the sort. It is paying off. My business is growing and you are still reading! Thanks for that by the way.

These are the greatest lessons I have taken from my time as a Barista at the Frothy Monkey. I hope that you were able to pull SOMETHING from my craziness. If you like me, then please feel free to Follow me on Twitter!