I have a goal so lofty it's almost embarrassing to talk about. And that's to be the best restaurant in the world.
Interpretation
Aspiring for greatness can feel daunting, yet it's essential for achievement.
This quote expresses the ambitious spirit required in pursuit of success, particularly in a challenging field like the culinary arts. Charlie Trotter acknowledges that having an extremely high goal, such as becoming the best restaurant in the world, may seem intimidating or even embarrassing to discuss, but it is this very ambition that drives individuals to surpass their limits and achieve remarkable success.
In practice
In a motivational speech for aspiring chefs, you could say, 'As Charlie Trotter once said, I have a goal so lofty it's almost embarrassing to talk about.'
If you know what you're doing, you can make a meal happen with any kitchen knife. But using a top-quality knife versus a low-quality one is the difference between driving a Jaguar and a VW Jetta across the country. They'll both get you there. But the Jaguar will give you a much smoother ride.
There has been no great surprise, no sudden revelation. I knew pretty much what I was getting into. What I've learned is that a restaurant can be as much of an art as you want it to be, but it has to be a successful business first.
Entrepreneurs are like visionaries. One of the ways they run forward is by viewing the thing they're doing as something that's going to be the whole world.
Take your victories, whatever they may be, cherish them, use them, but don't settle for them.
I like what I am doing. I enjoy all parts of the game - the team building, training camp, game days, the excitement of Sunday... it beats working.
When you begin to think and grow rich, you will observe that riches begin with a state of mind, with definiteness of purpose, with little or no hard work.
The secret of long life is double careers. One to about age sixty, then another for the next thirty years.
If your aspirations are not greater than your resources, youβre not an entrepreneur.
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