Around here we are huge fans of the show “CHOPPED”. For those that don’t know the premise. It’s an hour show where 4 chefs have to cook a 3 course meal. They have to cook this meal with 4 items given to them in a mystery basket. The first round (appetizer) they have 20 minutes to cook it. The 2nd round (Dinner) and 3rd round (dessert) they have 30 mins. After each round their food is judged by 3 judges.
I don’t know if you cook on a regular, but trying to cook anything worthy in that time span is NOT an easy task. This week they had an episode where 4 amateur cooks from home were able to compete on the show. Of the four contestants there were two caucasian brothers, a caucasian sister and one black brother. Each person came from a totally different background. What I found interesting, is that each contestant had confidence out of this world, but their meals really didn’t back it up.
So I thought about this in a business sense. As entrepreneurs and businesses in general, sometimes the “brand presence” far exceeds what you really get in real life. Then there are instances where the business or entrepreneur lacks the “brand presence” and really delivers a GREAT PRODUCT OR SERVICE.
In both instances, the same rules apply. In the game of Chopped and in the game of business, time and competition will separate the winners from the losers.
In the game of business and in the game of Chopped it is often ourselves that keep us back.
In the first round, they only get 20 mins. The black brothers confidence and arrogance was crazy. He hadn’t done enough to prove himself. He finished with 2 mins to spare. Then stood around looking at everyone. Not a good move. As the game of Chopped as taught, if you finish early you will be critiqued harder. Just as in business there are rules that will be critiqued. The brother cooked a fish taco. They liked the creativity but as soon as the plates arrived to the judges, they immediately asked, “did you do anything to the shell? ” The brothers reply, No, I didn’t do anything to it. Needless to say, in the first round, he was chopped. You had time to spare and still did nothing.
In business and life we all get opportunities that we “don’t do anything with”. Either we are so cocky we can’t see them, or our confidence is so low, we don’t believe we can do it.
Attitude is everything in the game of life and business. In this episode of CHOPPED, the energy kept shifting, the confidence of the other players went up and down. Techniques and Execution all played a part. However, the true key of who won was in the attitude of the person. As the show went on, you could see “who” really wanted it the most and what their attitude towards it was. As most things in life and business, we are our own worst enemy.
In the end, the person with the most heart and passion in their food won. He delivered on what was required to be the best.
Same rules apply. Are you delivering on what is required, to be the best? Only you really know the answer.
Moral to the story: Stay humble and true to your passion and you will become a True Champion!
Not to mention, you can offer these lovely wine and cheese sets in your company, staff and clients a like will appreciate them and use them for years to come. Give them a “mystery basket” to come up with solutions for the company and watch creativity and engagement SOAR!
