Bryan Tublin

Thoughts on Intentional Living

The Restaurant Business Hierarchy of Needs

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It’s hard to think clearly when we’re hungry.

Laugh when we feel threatened. 

View ourselves positively when we have no friends.

Our basic needs must be taken care of before we can work on becoming the person we want to be. 

The same is true for any business. The most ambitious owner or manager still has to satisfy a handful of fundamental “lower level” operational requirements before they can focus on “higher level” priorities for the business. 

The pain of unsatisfied needs is even more acute in the restaurant world. There’s a tangible hierarchy to the needs required to operate a brick-and-mortar business that any manager will feel immediately the moment there’s a crack in the foundation. Similar to how we find it difficult to think and focus when we’re really hungry, a restaurant business owner finds it extremely difficult to work at higher levels of the business when a lower level operational gap exists. 

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Anthony Bourdain Reflections

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Anthony Bourdain’s suicide hit me pretty hard last week.

This was partly because he was the celebrity we all wanted to be. Who wouldn’t want to travel the world eating great food for their own TV show? He seemed to have life figured out, having overcome drug addiction, and dedicating himself to connecting people and cultures through food and storytelling. Bourdain was so good at what he did, and so universally liked and respected, that I don’t know anyone who could say a bad thing about the guy.

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Try New Things

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I’m a huge fan of routine.

It helps you achieve, learn, and stay focused. It keeps you energized to pour all your effort into the activities that matter most. Repeating the same habits and behaviors—without thinking—enables you to become expert in your craft. Routine enables the process of deliberate practice, which is where world class skills are born.

But I’m also a firm believer in growth. That we should consistently strive to become the best version of ourselves we possibly can. [Read more…]

Success is a muscle

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The preparation is what allows the success to happen naturally.

– Jake Arrieta, Chicago Cubs pitcher, after throwing his second no-hitter in less than a year on 4/21/16

As I type this sentence, I’m sitting on a plane following the reverse route of a trip I took six and a half years ago.

It was on the first leg of a two-flight trip out to the Bay Area that I found myself in a conversation I still think about whenever I prepare for something important. [Read more…]

The power of positive reinforcement

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You just did that thing you were scared of.

Made the big speech…
Pushed the “publish” button…
Had that difficult conversation…

Now you’re relieved. And free.

And nervous it will backfire on you. That you’ll get a negative reaction. That others won’t like it.

Even worse, what if people ignore it? [Read more…]

Do the thing

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About a year ago I was obsessed with developing the perfect habits.

I wanted to write more, meditate, work out, and sleep well.

My goal was to lead a happy and productive life, and I wanted it all at once. I devoured articles, books, and blog posts about developing sustainable habits. I even wrote briefly about my journey to create the ideal morning routine.

And for a while, this worked. Every morning I would wake up early, do something physical, sit still for five minutes, write a few words in Evernote, and eat a quick breakfast. The routine felt a bit rushed and compartmentalized, but at least I was doing everything I wanted to do.

At least that’s what I told myself. [Read more…]

Love the long rides

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One of the most beautiful views in the country sits just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, atop a 900 foot peak known as Hawk Hill. The steady climb winds up into the Marin Headlands, leaving the bridge and the SF skyline behind, revealing the sparkling edge of the Pacific Ocean in front. It’s an unbelievable destination, and you’ll see dozens of runners, hikers, and tourists winding along the switchbacks 365 days a year. [Read more…]