“Chicken and Waffles– er, um…”

At brunch today, after knocking over a full glass of water that spilled two inches away from the guests seated a table over, I prepared for my very first plate of Chicken and Waffles. I know–you’re thinking, “No way.”  Yes-way, it was my very first time.  I’d seen it on the menu before and had even witnessed colleagues placing the order, but I’d never dared to do so myself.

Once the plate was in front of me, a beautifully golden waffle and perfectly fried chicken with a light sprinkle of confectionary sugar, I realized that maybe I hadn’t ordered it before because I had no clue how to eat it. O_o

Seriously, I sat there for a second thinking, “Am I supposed to cut it all up, the chicken and the waffle, and then drench it all in syrup?  Is it exactly as it appears, a waffle with a side of chicken?  Am I expected to eat the entire waffle and allll three pieces of chicken sitting on top?”  Not to mention, when I placed the order she asked me white meat or dark and I was thinking, “Wait, there isn’t a specific piece that is simply delectable with a waffle?”

“Silliness” I thought.  I ordered the Chicken and Waffles, it’s my food and my money why does it matter how others ate/eat theirs? Well…

Isn’t it your business?  It’s your blog, craft, talent–why does it matter how others before you did it?

Here’s my philosophy: Caring how others did it = great for research purposes, not always great in application.  As a matter of fact, spending time stressing over doing it their way could be detrimental to your success.  Why? The uniqueness of whatever it is you have to offer the world is exactly what sets you apart from the rest and will eventually make YOU successful.

For the record, I prefer that my syrup touches only the waffle.  Thus, I poured it on my waffle after delicately removing the two wings and breast. (I went with the white meat)

And guess what–it was awesome.

I’m sure your venture/business is awesome too.  My advice, figure out how others did it, and then do something else.  Seriously.

After tipping my waitress extra for being so kind during my water spill, I went on about my business thinking, “Chicken and Waffles–yum. How can you go wrong with that?”

© 2012, www.thehiddenmelody.com. All rights reserved.