From ‘Ordinary’ to Extraordinary: My Journey as a Hotel Porter

Many of us have been made to feel so small and insignificant in our workplace. Yes, I know how it feels because I have been there; I experienced this in my quest to find purpose in life. So, today, I decided to write about finding purpose in the ordinary. It is disheartening that in today’s world, people are often judged by their social status or position. And so the only way you can ever be respected at a place of work or even a place of worship is by making sure you go from ‘ordinary’ to extraordinary and attain a greater height, and that is the only reason you will not be seen and addressed as an ‘ordinary’

I faced this exact situation some years ago while working in a hotel. Still, I found greater purpose in my ordinary position, which brought me to the greater heights I enjoy today. In this blog post, I will take you through the steps I took to go from ordinary to greater heights. So you too will learn, apply it, and become better. Are you ready? So let’s dive in. 

How Everyday Ordinary Tasks Can Shape Your Future

What if I told you that what you see as the ordinary is only a process and a stepping stone to a greater you? There is always a process and steps to go from ‘ordinary’ to extraordinary, achieving whatever you want to accomplish in life. You must start from somewhere, which I call living with purpose. I want to use myself as an example.

When I worked in the hotel, I was only a hotel porter. A hotel porter is a person whose job is to help guests who have come to lodge and spend the night in the hotel by carrying their bags, leading them to their rooms after checking in at the reception, and continuing to take care of them until they check out.

Even though my position as a porter at that hotel made me appear ordinary to my coworkers, the truth is that I was the closest person to the guests, especially those who came to lodge and spent one or more nights with us. I had the opportunity to meet them one-on-one to address their needs.

That exposed me to opportunities and time to meet people who could enlighten and open my eyes to greatness. So keep reading. I’ll provide you with more information as we move forward.

Why Being Close to the Ground is Key to Finding Purpose

Those years when I was serving as a hotel porter, I was only seen and recognised as an errand boy—yes, an errand boy—because I would ask them if there was anything I could do for them, and you know, of course, they would always say yes!

So things I do for them range from going outside the hotel to buy them things they need, ensuring they have everything they need to be relaxed and comfortable in the room, and so on. I remember that sometimes some of the hotel’s water heaters are bad, but I will still be the one to call through the intercom to find out if they need a hot bath.

And if they say yes, I will quickly boil water for them using a boil ring. A boiling ring, hotplate, or electric water heater is an electrical appliance designed to heat water to a boil. Most of us used it way back in school.

So I would make sure they are okay. After doing all these things to ensure my guests’ happiness and satisfaction, they come out of their room in the morning, about to check out, only to see that the same boy who was busy taking care of them last night when they checked into the hotel is still washing their cars.

Small Interactions Leading to Big Opportunities

This is also part of my hotel lessons. Now imagine that your guest, whom you have been taking care of since the previous night and who may have decided in his heart to appreciate you for taking proper care of him throughout his stay in the hotel, comes out in the morning and still sees you washing his car.

You already know that this guest will develop a greater interest in you and learn more about you. The first thing that will come to his mind is to double whatever he wants to give you as a tip. Yes, because he knows you will feel you have done more than enough for him.

Next, I have significant opportunities.

The key point here is that you should always strive to do your best in any situation you find yourself in, even in the most ordinary circumstances. That is what I call ‘finding meaning in everyday life’. Just keep in mind that it is only a stepping stone. Empower it and unlock its full potential.

 Ordinary Jobs Matter

You can call them menial jobs, but I want you to remember that you must go out and make yourself valuable and available, then start from somewhere before you can reach your genuine goal. Many people will sit down and fold their arms while waiting for a bigger white-collar job, but most of the time, it doesn’t work that way; you must go out and start from an ordinary position before reaching the principal place of your dream.

The truth is that the so-called ordinary job serves as a learning and preparation ground, training and preparing you to face the bigger challenges that lie ahead. You must count one before two; this is the law and principle of nature. All you need to do is give your best when you find yourself in an ordinary job, even as a graduate.

Put in your utmost effort while hoping and praying for a bigger job, as this is one of the easiest paths to securing better-paying employment. Try this: go ahead and accept that ordinary or menial job you are looking down on. Accept and do the job with all your heart, and wait for the positive result.

How I Became the Most Successful Porter

One key factor I will not forget to mention here is hospitality. In all, hospitality was my top priority; I ensured that I provided the best of my hospitality to all my guests. I’m sure you recall that I mentioned earlier that I would call my guests early in the morning to find out if they need hot water for a hot bath. Once they say yes, I will go ahead and boil the water myself and send it to all who need it, one at a time.

One morning, one of my guests was about to check out, and the first thing he did was go straight to my director’s office to tell him that the level of my hospitality was top-notch.

This hotel is also a hospitality place. All your guests and customers want from you is hospitality, and it will surprise you how long they will appreciate you for your hospitality. I am talking from experience.

This does not only apply to hotels; other workplaces are also included, as far as human beings perceive them. This means the shop or office is also part of the hospitality industry.

Summary: How Being ‘Ordinary’ Set Me Apart

I’m summarising by telling you how being ordinary set me apart. First, I saw myself as ordinary, even though my manager sometimes referred to me as ‘just an ordinary porter’. But let me clarify that I never looked down on myself; I was more interested in accomplishing my everyday life purpose. Though I was ordinary in my workspace,

I always focused on the bigger picture. I never allowed my job prescription to define my goal, ambition, and vision. I worked diligently and became the most successful among all my colleagues. This is how I went from ‘ordinary’ to extraordinary., You, too, can do this, and even better.