Preface: I am not a very strong shift. I was an outside hire after being a service manager for Chipotle for approx. 3 months (which was also my first foray in managing) and somehow charmed my way into being hired.

We have a 47 second otw time to offset how sucky weekends (and the 55 second otw time) are. Generally, I’m a closing shift. The few times I’ve opened, it suuuuuucked. One Saturday, I’m pretty sure we ended peak at like 1:19. It was rough.

That being said, on Tuesday, we ended at a 44, and it felt pretty neat.

I hate that I have to measure my abilities as a manager with a clock and totally random factors that can make or break a play. So much of it is luck. In many ways, I also feel like I’m still learning how to be a good barista, let alone a good shift. I hate the idea of breathing down partners’ necks, making sure everybody’s in perfect sequence, adding more stress to an already stressful situation.

For whatever reason, the stars aligned and we had a reasonably good morning, for the first time in what feels like a very long time. I don’t really know how to tell my partners how much I appreciate them without being so lame about it. Their hard work is what makes *me* look capable, and that’s weird.

As a side note, I know it’s been really hard lately. I really hope all of you are doing okay mentally, and you’re not letting the rigors of the siren get to you. You’re doing a really good job, and I mean it sincerely. Remember, it’s just coffee. Don’t let anybody tear you down over wet beans.

❤️