I don't like coffee, but I do like Starbucks
My daughter is in the Math Olympics today, so I’ve been sitting at Starbucks taking care of some computer work, updating parts of the blog, and passively watching people. I’ve heard people talking about everything from social networking to favoritism in the service industry. One guy was focused on his newly bought car outside and he got upset when a lady in a large vehicle parked too close to him. There’s been a number of people working from their laptops and iPads, and a lot of regulars that know the names of the baristas behind the counter.
Sometimes I notice a particular person or action when people watching. Today I noticed something that was missing. Everyone I saw and heard had been to Starbucks before. Not only that, but it seemed that everyone had made it part of their routine. There were no new customers who didn’t know what to order. There were no occasional coffee drinkers who just happened to stop in for a relaxing latte. There was nothing spontaneous.
Before I move on, let me make one thing clear. Routine is a good thing. There is nothing wrong with developing a routine and sticking to it. I’m sure a majority of the most productive people in the world follow a routine of some kind. Maybe that’s why I have streaks of high productivity intermixed with slumps. I tend to be more of a free spirit, avoiding any unnecessary routines. I think when people focus on their routine and don’t allow for spontaneity or occasional breaks in their routine, they can become almost robotic, missing out on ways to bring meaning into what they do. When overdone, a routine can become a task list that serves to do nothing bu wear you down.
Most of the people I saw in Starbucks today looked tired. They all looked like their stop in Starbucks was just part of their routine that they’ve grown accustomed to. They may have known the names of the people behind the counter, but that’s about as deep as their relationships were. The people on their laptops were so focused on the projects they were working on that they were oblivious to everyone around them. The people talking about social networking were more worried about becoming foursquare mayors than the opportunities for productivity or friendships that can come out of social networking. The guy worried about his car didn’t even notice the pregnant woman who would have appreciated him holding the door for her.
I hope that I never become so involve with my routine that I miss out on opportunities to bring meaning into what I do.