Why Are We So Obsessed with Grandma’s Cooking?

While driving up Interstate 35 to Oklahoma City a few days ago, I noticed a sign for a restaurant that boasted “Grandma is our only competition!”

What an interesting way to promote a restaurant!

Our world is moving so fast. We want to automate and streamline as much as possible. I try to get into a routine so I don't mess things up or miss something important.

Yet, around the holidays, I hear more and more conversations about grandma's cooking and how great it is. Slaving over a hot stove all day seems to make the best biscuits, the tastiest pies, and the juiciest turkeys.

What is it about grandma's cooking we love so much? And is there a way we can take what we learn from it and apply that knowledge to business, brand building and leadership?

My grandma, Maw Maw, used to make the best chocolate gravy. Poured over warm biscuits, it was almost the perfect breakfast. I have no idea what was in it but her chocolate gravy was always delicious.

As time passed and the years went on she made chocolate gravy less and less. As of today, I think it may have been ten or more years since she's made it for me, and we now opt for McDonald's or a Cracker Barrel when we can find it.

While it could have to do with my grandma getting older, I think the decrease in how often she cooks has to do with two things:

1. Our lives move extremely fast.
2. It's easy to get fast food.

The problem is, living life at a break-neck speed doesn't make it better. Life is one of the few times when crossing the finish line first isn't a good thing!

So, why are we so obsessed with grandma's cooking?

I think it's because it reminds of home and how things used to be.

I think it's because it forces us to slow down and breathe.

I think we're obsessed with grandma's cooking because it's getting harder and harder to find.

Does this apply to business? Could we all learn something from reminiscing, slowing down, and creating something special?

I think so.

As my blog and the Empoweringthe80Percent brand have grown, I have had to make a conscious effort to remember why I started it almost two years ago.

As your business grows, you too will have to remember why you started. Facing challenges might make you question what you're doing, but think back to the spark of inspiration that got you going in the first place.

Slowing down is great for the bottom line too.

Faster doesn't inherently mean better and some things simply take time to reach critical mass. By slowing down, we give ourselves the opportunity to focus and really get good at what we're doing.

Moving faster can also increase the likelihood of making mistakes or missing something entirely.

Even though we may be able to produce, coach, and deliver more by moving faster, more doesn't necessarily mean better either. That's one reason why “limited edition” products often carry a higher value.

If I'm pumping out more blog posts or more podcasts, will I be able to maintain the level of quality you and I are used to?

I'm not so sure.

Grandma's cooking, to me, carries a special meaning. Will it carry the same meaning a generation from now?

That's a good question.

Question: What do you think? Should we slow down, produce less, and really make something special? Leave a comment below!