Did You Set Goals For 2023? A Barbecue Chef Did And Spent Day One Working On It

The crunch of gravel announced a new customer. Brian Wright tugged his apron, pushed his cap back on his head with one hand and with the other straightened his serving spoons.

“What you got today?” Gwen Christopher asked as she approached the food stand.

A prize-winning pitmaster, Wright listed his offerings.

“Brisket, ribs, turkey breast, chicken wings, loaded baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw and chicken spaghetti,” he answered.

From the passenger seat of the car, Greg Christopher watched his wife make their selections. 

“I heard it was pretty good, and I wanted to try it out,” he said. “We saw it on Facebook and drove 14 miles for a plate.”

Wright kept an eagle eye on his oversize grill where more grill chicken waited.

“It’s therapy for me,” he explained. “When you have a rough day, you fire up the grill. It’s never like, ‘Oh, I have to fire up the grill.’ All I need is a reason.”

For 20 years, Wright has barbecued. Last fall he placed eighth in a barbecue cookoff in El Dorado, Arkansas, with close to 50 grill masters from Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. And this is the year he hopes to move his craft into a food truck.

As Wright talked about his goals for the new year, another car pulled up. Ron Robinson and his wife hopped out. The couple told Wright they were headed home from church when they passed the barbecue stand and turned around. 

“Do you have your famous sauce in a bottle?” Robinson asked.

“Not yet,” Wright replied, “I’m just trying to figure out a way to get it on Amazon.”

“Honey, please!” LaTronda Robinson exclaimed. “I’m waiting.”

Five steps to achieving the goal

Brian Wright and millions of Americans have goals for the new year. And Wright is already doing some of what experts suggest. He has set specific and achievable goals: distributing his barbecue sauce and purchasing a food truck.

Conventional wisdom also recommends telling others about the goals. Wright can check that off his list as well.

Finally, they suggest writing down the goal, rewarding yourself as you move closer to success and avoiding discouragement if there’s a setback. 

According to the website insideoutmastery.com, almost 40% of Americans set new goals or make resolutions at the start of the year. But the odds of success are slim with only 9% reaching their goal.

Wright’s following

Using social media, Wright is growing his customer base. He also plans to enter more contests in 2023. His food truck is a dream he and his supporters embrace.

Plate filled with barbecue and sides, Gwen Christopher heads back to her car.

“This is our New Year’s dinner,” she shares. “And I have my black-eyed peas and cabbage at home.”

Wright waved goodbye and added, “Thank you and enjoy!”