Be knowledgeable. Learn new skills and stay up-to-date on technology. Know the policy and procedures for your job and your organization. Stay up to date on e-mail and answer and respond in a timely manner. If you don't know something, be willing to ask. Stay up to date with information about your field. 

Be willing to mentor. Volunteer to help others and share the things that that you've learned that make you successful. 

Be a person of integrity. Know and practice the ethical policies of your job and your organization. 

Be likable and relatable. Relate to people of all ages. Be able and willing to learn about other cultures. Make it your goal to try other cultures foods with an open mind. 

If my organization would not pay for me to attend a state ANFP meeting or Annual Conference, I found it key to my development of learning about the foodservice field to attend the meetings. I often planned ahead and used vacation and/or personal days. 

Take care of your health. That includes: exercise, eat healthy, get enough sleep, and drink alcohol in moderation or not at all. If your mental state or mental health are being challenged seek help. 

Maintain a balanced lifestyle. Before I put the oxygen mask on someone else, I put it on myself first. Recognize your one person you can rely on. Be able to effectively delegate. 

Set clear and measurable goals. Goals help you see your progress from year to year. 

Be a team player. Create, model, collaborate and perpetuate team spirit. Conversations with others should be "I" statements and not "You" statements. For example, “I feel our clients will be at risk of getting foods that are contaminated if the temperatures are not checked and documented per our facility policy.” 

My faith gave me the tenacity to navigate each day.