S.W.O.W.! - 21 Day Risk Taking Challenge - Are You In?

I teach indoor cycle and yoga at a few gyms in the area.  July is a popular vacation month for many so I find that opportunities to sub classes for other instructors while they are out of town abound.  In the last week and a half I taught a total of ten cycling classes - well above my normal two a week. Before the craziness began, I invited members and Facebook friends to join in a challenge to take all ten classes with me.  Several people accepted the challenge, and a few actually were able to attend all of them.  I was SO proud of them - including those that came close to doing them all.

When I arrived in the cycling room last evening to teach the tenth class, I noticed a bag of water bottles with a card attached to it near my bike on the instructor platform.  I always bring a cooler of cold water bottles to class for those that forget or run out of water. Someone had gifted me a whole bag - how thoughtful.  I didn't have a chance to open the card until after class and was delighted to read this message - "Dear Margaret - Challenge Completed! Thanks for encouraging me to do something I didn't think I could do. You're awesome". Actually - she is awesome - not me.  But I delight in her success. 

What do you think will happen for her now?  She stretched herself beyond her comfort zone and found strength she didn't know she had.  I foresee her taking more risks and accepting more challenges and continuing to grow. S.W.O.W.! is born.  

If you would like to expand yourself beyond your comfort zone and experience a little more S.W.O.W! in your life - take my free 21 Day Risk Challenge. Each day, starting August 1, a new challenge will be posted in this blog.  You can accept it, modify it, or reject it and make up your own.  But you have to at least take some type of risk that day.  At the end of 21 days - August 21 to be exact - post in the comment section below about your experience - what you learned about yourself or what has changed in you for the better. Everyone that posts a comment on their results will be entered into a random drawing for a variety of $25 gift cards - from Macy's to the Cheesecake Factory. I will be taking the risks along with you.

If you become a blog follower - the risks should arrive in your e-mail box everyday - or you can check back here in the blog for the next day's challenge.  I look forward to your stories.

Day 1 - try some type of exercise that you've never tried before.  You can go to a class at a studio or gym or look up some exercises on the Internet.  It can be as simple as jumping rope, a walk in the park, the hula hoop or a new dance step - whatever you choose.

Day 2 - tell a stranger something nice about them that you observed.   If you are in the grocery line and notice something about the person in front of you or behind you - let them know (positive things!).  Approach someone new at a business networking event or other.  If this isn't a stretch for you  - how could you modify this challenge to make it a stretch?

Day 3 - ask for what you need or want.  One of my friends wanted to work in the Paris, France (not Texas!) office of the company she worked for but never let management know that was her desire. She hinted toward it but never outright asked or told them her goal. So - what happened? She's not in Paris. Ask for what you need or want - they don't know if you don't let them know.

Day 4 - let go of something you know isn't serving you any more.  Is it work files that you hold onto that you think you might need someday or some other clutter at home?   Is it a relationship that you keep tolerating when that person is annoying you or not treating you very well?  It might be time to let it go.  

Day 5 - reach out to someone you admire but are afraid to talk to.  I frequently hear clients say that they admire someone at work at a high level, saw an article about someone who had taken action and was living the dream they had, 

Day 6 - go home from work on time.  Don't stay late. Is it possible for you?  If you are an entrepreneur - don't do any work after 5:00pm.    What do you notice? What are you afraid of?

Day 7 - say that something that really needs to be said. I miss The Tonight Show with Jay Leno but have been and continue to give Jimmy Fallon a chance.  I watched it the other night because a favorite of mine - Meryl Streep - was a guest. Jimmy asked her questions but never let her reply - he answered for her or talked over her while she was talking. He does it frequently. I posted on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon Facebook page and trust the message will get through to the right people.  Say it - tactfully and professionally. 

Day 8 - say no.  Are you overwhelmed with a full schedule?  Pay attention to what you really need and what will bring you joy and don't be afraid to say no to overbooking.

Day 9 - try a new look.  Cut or color you hair a new way. Shave your mustache.  Try a new style or color of clothing.  One of my girlfriends almost always wore black to the gym. She wore a colorful shirt one day after years of her old pattern. What a difference.  Give it a try. It will have pleasant rippling effects.  

Day 10 - do it differently. Take a different route to work, manage a meeting differently, take a risk and change a habit - a little or drastically.  

Day 11 - go check out a different crowd. Attend the organizational meeting of a group you don't typically associate with.  My husband and I went to a sports bar called Quaker Steak and Lube for a Green Bay Packers game against the Vikings (we are Viking fans and were the only ones in a see of Cheeseheads!).  We met a lot of new friends and had a great time. 

Day 12 - turn off you cell phone for a day. See what you've been missing. (What are you afraid of if you really do it?)

Day 13 - speak up when you see something wrong and do something about it.  I am ready to write a letter to Chevy - In their latest commercial they promote a screen on the dashboard with text responses to select from - to respond to incoming texts you listen to from your phone that is connected by blue tooth - they think this will help people keep their eyes on the road - I think it is a big mistake and will write to them and let them know.  What will you speak up about today?

Day 14 - ask for feedback from someone on how you are doing.  Ask your boss or your kids or your significant other or your class or anyone you can think of - for feedback on these three questions - (I think you will be pleasantly surprised about their thoughts - I asked my cycle class to answer these questions - good stuff!)
1. What am I doing that you like and want me to keep doing? 
2. What am I doing that you don't like and want me to stop doing?
3. What am I not doing that you would like me to start doing?  

Day 15 - sign up for something new.  Take a class you've always wanted to take or sign up to start a whole degree program at a community college or university.  Sign up to rescue an animal. Sign up to be the chairman of an organization.  Sign up to volunteer for a charitable organization.  Sign up - get started.

Day 16 - take the first step toward a goal you've always wanted but you've been procrastinating on. What is it? Your goal is to get a promotion at work so the first step is asking for more responsibility. You want to lose weight so the first step is joining an exercise or weight loss group.  You want to be a writer so the first step is submitting an article to a magazine for publication?  Take that step today.

Day 17 - admit you don't know.  Do you stay quiet in class when the professor asks if there are any questions?  Do you hesitate to ask a question in a meeting at work because you are worried it is a dumb question?  Admit you don't know.

Day 18 - do something you want to do but don't think you can do.  I subbed a bunch of cycle classes a few weeks ago - so in ten days I taught ten classes (I usually teach two a week). I challenged my members to do all ten. One woman did and gave me a note after thanking me. She said it was something she didn't think she could do but I inspired and motivated her and she was able to accomplish it.  


Day 19 - accept a challenge - the obstacles you are afraid of aren't likely to materialize.  I played the song "Mustang Sally" tonight in indoor cycle class.  I challenged the class to turn their dial to the right, adding resistance and therefore more hill to their workout every time the artist, Wilson Pickett, sang the words "Mustang Sally". "Are you in?" I asked.  I received a less than enthusiastic response though some signaled they were up to the challenge. It turns out that the phrase "Ride Sally Ride" is sung quite a bit more in the song. Mustang Sally is only repeated only a few times. So the numerous extra turns of the dial they were afraid of never materialized.   
 

And so it is with the risks we avoid in life.  We imagine all of the obstacles we will come up against - and many of them never happen. And if they do - we are more than capable of handling them.   So take on the challenge.  Take a chance. Do it!  you'll be fine.

Day 20 - wow - almost there! - make the call you've been procrastinating about.  Do you need to follow up on a resume you sent in. Is there someone you've wanted to ask out and you haven't yet. Do you need to call up a friend with a serious illness and don't know what to say - so you haven't called?  Do you need to tell someone you love them.  Make the call.

Day 21!!! - you did it - here we are - day 21 - congratulations! The risk for today is to scare yourself just a little bit. Do whatever it is that will push you a little bit beyond your comfort zone - scare you just a little bit. 

Don't forget to comment below - what you learned about yourself or what has changed in you for the better as a result taking more risks this month. You have until midnight August 31 to post your feedback.  Everyone that comments will be entered in a random drawing for $25 gift cards.  I look forward to your stories.

NOTE: Don't worry if you are late starting - you have all of August to do 21 risks.  Get started today.
Need help taking these risks or others you are procrastinating on? Give me a call at (281)648-0380

Ingenious Waitress

When I was young I remember reading a novel that started off with a woman heading into a publishing company for an interview. While she was waiting in the lobby for her appointment she overheard an executive ask his assistant to find a copy of an old magazine. The woman waiting to be interviewed ran to the elevator and headed to another suite on a different floor.  She knew there was a doctor's office in the building and they always have old magazines.  She found the office, checked out the magazines in their waiting room and found the one the executive had mentioned.  She returned to the publishing company and handed the executive the magazine she had unearthed.  Not surprising - she got the job on the spot!  I always loved that story and wanted to be "that girl". I found her in person on a recent trip.

There is a golf networking organization for women called Women On Course. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in learning golf, improving their golf game, or avid golfers looking for other fun women to play with. I was on a weekend trip with the group at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort and Spa just outside of Austin.  It has a beautiful and challenging golf course, a variety of pools, hot tubs, water slides, and all sorts of activities for non-golfers too.  You never have to leave the resort. 

One evening my girlfriends and I were having dinner in the bar.   We brought cards to play Euchre - a game I was raised on in Michigan.  (Want to join our next tournament at my house? - e-mail me - newbies welcome). We were enjoying our food and the game on the patio but it was starting to get a little dark. I asked the waitress if she had any candles or other table lights.  "I think they might have some in the restaurant next door", she said. "Let me see what I can do".  In a few minutes she returned with several candles for our table.  

I asked for a Diet Coke when she took our drink order. We only have Diet Pepsi was the response so, I accepted it.  But when it arrived, it tasted a bit strange.  The waitress said she would get me a can.  She quickly returned with a glass of ice and a can of Diet Coke.  Now where did she find that since their restaurant didn't even serve it? The employee refrigerator? - we joked. 

Later, she asked us if she could get us anything else. I jokingly shouted out - chocolate.  Her reply? :"I'll see what I can do!".  A few minutes later she came back with two pieces of dark chocolate cake for us to share. It wasn't on the menu.  Maybe she got them from a party since there were a lot of celebrations going on at the resort from weddings to family reunions. We aren't really sure - but it was really good and free!

I tried to think of something for her to find that would be a real challenge.  I mean - really - this woman was resourceful, creative and up to any request.  What wouldn't she be able to do?  

We left it at a huge tip and letter to her manager commending her on her service, attitude and amazing ingenuity. 

We can all take a lesson from her.  When presented with any request, respond with "let me see what I can do" instead of "no way - that's impossible"!  See how your results change.  I look forward to your stories.

Just Right - Like Goldilocks and the Three Bears

"It's a little too much", he said.  "Well, what if you were to do this, how does that feel to you?", I asked. "That's not really enough.  I wouldn't feel challenged", he replied.  "What would put you right in the middle of a little too much and not enough?"  He laughed and found the perfect place and space for himself.  We were talking about connecting with potential clients and how to move forward with a particular individual.  

Most people are familiar with the childhood story of Goldilocks and the three bears.  If you aren't or need a reminder - 

A little girl named Goldilocks, (for her beautiful blonde curly hair), went for a walk in the woods and came upon a house. She knocked but no one answered so she went in. She was hungry and tried the porridge on the table - one was too hot, one was too cold, the third was just right so she ate it all up.  Then she was getting a little tired so she went into the living room and saw three chairs.  Two were too big, and one was just right. She sat in it but it broke into pieces. Then she was getting really tired and decided to go upstairs. She tried out the beds. One was too hard, one was too soft and the third was just right so she fell asleep on it.  In the meantime, the bears came home and noticed the porridge gone, the broken chair and found Goldilocks in the bed. She woke up and ran away screaming and never returned.  For a more detailed version of the story - follow this link - http://www.dltk-teach.com/rhymes/goldilocks_story.htm
 

I direct my yoga students on the Goldilocks philosophy. "Take the pose to the place where you feel it, but not so much that you cross the line to feeling pain.  If you are breathing through your mouth you are working too hard. Not too hard, not too soft - just right."

I share with my coaching clients and encourage those listening to me at speaking events when I present on risk taking.  "What level of risk taking are you comfortable with?  What is your risk taking goal? What would you have to do to push yourself just a little bit beyond your comfort zone to make that goal a reality?"

If we stay too comfortable and don't challenge ourselves we may never reach the place we want to be.  If we push too hard we may end up exhausted. overwhelmed and quit too early. Find the place that is JUST RIGHT for you. Here's to your success! 

Don't Let Your Sizzle Fizzle

I got Oprah-ed! 

I had the opportunity to enjoy a weekend in Houston at the Toyota Center with Oprah Winfrey and her Trailblazers for her “Life You Want” tour.  I feel like I am living the “Life I Want”, but it never hurts to do a check-in and receive a little directional boost.  The weekend opened on a Friday night with a 90 minute welcome by Oprah, along with her humorous yet moving story and motivational tidbits.  As she arose onto the stage during her grand entrance, the L.E.D. lights in our neon wrist bands glowed a beautiful yellow, then energizing red.  Throughout the event they emitted different colors, depending on the speaker and the topic.  Our Saturday was a mix of speakers such as Deepak Chopra leading a meditation exercise and Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat Pray Love, sharing an inspiring story on following your curiosity.  She encouraged us with the comment that curiosity can be more inspiring and less frustrating than following your passion.  Oprah invited us to work through exercises in our notebooks between speakers, similar to exercises I utilize with my coaching clients.  They included creating a vision of the life we want around any or all of these areas - spirituality, health and fitness, family and friends, home and environment, hobbies, contribution to the world, significant other, career and money. Of course, the money section of Oprah’s vision had a billion happy faces emerging from it!

My girlfriend and I came away from the weekend energized, motivated and enlightened – ready to tackle the world.  On the way home, I asked her what she was going to do with the information. She paused and thought about it, not sure how to proceed with the overwhelming mix of ideas, exercises, and resources to investigate. She decided to commit to working on her wheel of life and vision for her future in each of the areas within it. 

But, would she be able to maintain the glow, like the lighted wristband, without the event to spark her energy every day?  My wristband is sitting on the bar counter separating my living room from my kitchen. I discovered, while driving home from the weekend, that when it was tapped lightly it would light up again.  

So how do we tap into that energy over and over again after attending a training class at work, viewing an inspiring Ted Talk on the internet, reading a book that makes us feel like “Wow, I could do that”, or immersing ourselves in an Oprah weekend?

Here are some ideas – 

1   Start right away.  Before you walk away from a training class, inspirational message or event, decide what the first step is that you will take with the new information you have absorbed.  Make a commitment to yourself by telling a friend or writing the commitment into your planner or cell phone calendar.  Promise yourself you will do it and imagine how your life will be if you make this change.  Attach some emotion to the action.  Connecting a feeling to the new habit will assure greater success.  Don’t wait to decide – kickstart your action with this decision.

2   Create a visual of how you would like things to be after you make advice from the new information or ideas part of your routine.  It can be a drawing, a collection of pictures posted on your wall or a poster board, a vision board using a computer application or simply a picture in your mind.  Make a habit of looking at or thinking about the vision of where you want to be every day.  Be open to ideas and people that come to you and help you along the way.

3   Make a list of all the things you don’t want to happen in reference to your goals.  Then next to each of those write what you do want to happen as a result of the newly acquired event information.  Think about the obstacles in your way that prevent you from taking action. Focus on removing the obstacles and only look at what you do want to happen every day – not the don’t want list.  Concentrate on moving forward by staying focused on the positive.

4   Make a game or a competition for yourself or by competing with a friend to incorporate the new ideas into your life if this type of activity inspires you to action. 

5   Place the notebook or binder you received in your training in a convenient place, one where you will see it every day and be reminded of your new insights. Don’t let it get covered up with clutter or placed on a shelf out of sight.  The visual reminder will keep you thinking about and processing the new thoughts.

6    Share the information with another person. Teach them some of the exercises or highlights of what you took away from the event.  Teaching another person is one of the best ways to deeply ingrain the information in your mind and ensure you will use it.

7    Hire a coach to work with you to develop and implement an action plan for your visions and work with you to remove any obstacles in your way, like fear, doubt or negative self-talk.

Now, every time I pass that wrist band sitting there unlit, opaque and lifeless, I tap it gently on the counter and a beautiful colored glow randomly chosen from the three within it lights up again for a short time.  Some days when I need an extra boost I wear the band all day.  I am renewed and energized and on track to the Life I Want.  Are you?  Don’t let the taps grow fewer and farther apart.  Stay sizzling, not fizzling.

Saving Nemo!

My husband and I both happened to be working from home recently. We were taking a lunch break while playing one of our favorite card games, cribbage, in the front room. The window shutters were open and I could see clearly across the street.  It was garbage pick-up day.  To my surprise, our neighbors across the street had piled a bunch of toys atop the closed lid of their garbage can.  

From where I sat, they looked like brand new toys, especially the giant plush bright orange and white Nemo on the top of the pile. I couldn't believe they would throw away good toys. I'm a fervent recycler.  Toys, clothes and household items go to charity and cardboard, plastic and glass go to the recycle collection at the Ellington Air Force base nearby.  Surely there was something wrong with these toys for them to be on the corner waiting for the garbage collector.  My husband suggested they might have been chewed up by the dog or worn out and we just couldn't see it from where we sat.  So, I let it go for a while - but mentioned it again to my husband a little later in the morning.  Then I jumped into my work.

Not much later, I was interrupted by my husband telling me I had 30 seconds to decide.  "Thirty seconds for what?", I called out. "The garbage truck is coming around the corner!" he replied and I sprang to my feet.  I rushed out the door and quickly headed to the edge of the curb, jumping up and down and waving to catch the attention of the driver before entering the street.  Once I confirmed he saw me, I sprinted across street to inspect Nemo. He was in pristine condition - bright and white and not a tear or a spot on him.  I picked him up and examined the other toys. They too were in perfect condition. I asked the garbage collector if he wanted them. He shook his head so I scooped them all up and headed back to the house. The garbage truck with the laughing driver and workers headed off down the street.

All of the toys except Nemo are now in my garage in a box waiting to go to the Goodwill drop-off site.  

So, the lesson?  When there is an opportunity or a risk to take we hesitate, and think it over and dwell on the possibilities. Which is a good thing - to consider the options and the consequences.  But don't you sometimes find that in the end, you do what you were going to do anyway before all the thinking and procrastinating?  What are you waiting for?

Screaming Monkeys

I grabbed a few dairy items still left on my list, like yogurt and milk, and headed toward the checkout lanes by slipping through the toy aisle near the edge of the store.  As I worked my way up to the front of the store I was distracted by toys on either side of me and memories of some childhood favorites.  I noticed a small stuffed animal in the middle of the aisle on the floor.  My hardware retail store and customer service training fell into place as I stopped to pick up the fallen toy - everything in its place.  As I searched the toy bins to find its home I looked down at the toy in my hand and thought it looked familiar. 

Jay Leno had a bit on the Tonight Show a few years back where he demonstrated some toys he liked for Christmas.  One of his favorites was a screaming monkey sling shot. You placed your index and middle fingers into the little pockets of the monkey's hands, pulled it back like a sling shot and then let it fly. The little monkey screeched as it flew. And it could really go quite a distance. They looked like so much fun I went on-line that night and bought one for each of the boys.  They were fun but I am not quite sure where they ended up.  And here was the delightful toy in my hand - a sock monkey version - but the same screaming flying monkey sling shot.  I decided that the family needed another one, and also thought it would be a good prop for my risk taking talks, so I placed the monkey into my basket. 

When we take a risk there is always a little bit of anxiety - it can be barely detectable or to the point - almost - of the screaming monkey taking flight across the room.  What can you do to relieve some of that anxiety?  Consider the steps to more successful risk taking - 

Risk taking - a course of action or inaction, taken under conditions of uncertainty, which exposes one to possible loss in order to reach a desired outcome

• Clarify a goal - what is it that you really want to do and what will it accomplish?
• Evaluate ways to accomplish the goal - be creative and brainstorm options
• Consider your risk taking tendencies - stretch yourself beyond your normal tendencies but not too far
• Increase the reward/risk ratio - develop a prototype and test, share the risk with another person,  ask for more time to collect information
• Take action - just do it

See you at my next risk talk - and let the screaming monkeys fly!

Move On Up - to the Front Row

I find it interesting to observe where people place themselves in a room. 

When I am teaching yoga some new people come right up to the front so that they can see and learn the right way to perform the poses.  Others that want to hang back and relax and participate at a different level may set their mat down in the back row or back corner. Occasionally they get a little surprise when I move to the side or back of the room to lead the class through a few poses and all of the sudden they are the front row now.  

In cycle class those that really want to focus and work the hardest tend to resonate to the front of the room.  In the front they can observe their form in the front mirrors and make corrections.  I sometimes wish I could automatically turn all of the bikes in cycle as easily as I can rotate my yoga class, (by having them turn on their mats), so that the back row would become the front row. It all makes for interesting dynamics.

I was presenting to a group of technical professionals on perceptions and assumptions in a business setting.  I was part of a half day long combined trainings plus meetings for a group that was only together once a quarter.   The finance group was presenting after my talk.  After I finished, I grabbed my lunch and stayed for part of their presentation before I headed out, on to my next adventure. While I was eating my lunch I observed that there were a few technical females in the room but they were seated in the last rows in the back.  The finance group that was presenting also had representation but they were also seated at the back of the room around a round table.  I noticed that several of them were texting or checking e-mails on their phone while their co-worker was presenting. 

There are a number of reasons people take a back seat at meetings. Some don't want to be called on.  Some may not think they have anything to contribute.  Others may have work that needs to be done and they don't want to disturb others in the room while they toggle back and forth between listening to the speaker and answering e-mails on their laptop or their device. But the truth is - they aren't totally "there".  We are most effective when we are totally present with whomever and whatever we are involved in.

What do you need to do to be more present and effective in your personal and professional life?

Don't Take A Lazy Man's Load

My father was a wise man. "Don't take a lazy man's load!", he would say. That is when you have a bunch of groceries and you try to take all of the bags in at once instead of two or so at a time - and you end up dropping some or bags rip or - you get the idea. My father was a wise man.

So, the other day after a great day of golf with the members of the Women On Course in Houston, I was grabbing my golf shoe bag, water bottle, purse, and trying to get my golf clubs out of the trunk of my girlfriend's car with all of that still in my hands and over my shoulder.  The whole time I was thinking about my father's words of wisdom knowing that I was attempting a lazy man's load. But I am strong (and stubborn) and continued on - that last swinging lift of my golf bag knocked my shin. Yowser - "don't take a lazy man's load!"  

Sometimes when we are about to embark on an adventure or a simple step forward, we hesitate and ponder many options in our head. Fear has us trying to talk ourselves out of a very positive step but other times there are legitimate reasons to address the hesitations.

Don't ignore your intuition.  Couple it with your data and analysis - for a thorough and intelligent examination of any situation.

My father was a wise  man.

Don't Give Up - Try the Other Door

I was running errands the other day and triumphantly delivered my tax information to the accountant at the last stop.  Preparing all of our personal information and business information is quite a chore.  I try to look at our refund as payment for all of the time spent slaving over the Excel spreadsheets.  It helps alleviate some of my pain.  

I hadn't really had any time to just sit and relax and enjoy nature or meditate lately and decided to stop by the church that was right around the corner from the accountant's office.  When I sit quietly that is one of my best times for ideas to flow.  I love to go into churches when there are no services in progress.  The air is cool, the lights are low and the sound of your steps up the aisle and the flow of the baptismal font are the only sounds breaking the silence.  

I tried one of the main front doors to the church and found it locked. I tried the other doors and came across the same barrier to my entrance - locked!  "How could the church be locked?",  I thought.  It is the best time to enjoy some solitude. Surely there was some mistake.  It was always open on Sunday afternoons but this was a weekday.  Maybe the rules were different for the other days of the week.  I was going to write or call the front office and ask if they could change their policy of door locking so I could enjoy my visits in the future.  Ha - hardheaded reactive me.  I started to head back to the car disappointed.  Then I looked back at the church and remembered the side door. "Let's try a few more doors", I thought as I headed to the side entrance.  The door on the left was also locked but the one on the right was unlocked.  I opened it and slipped in feeling sneaky, like I wasn't supposed to be there and someone had forgotten to lock that door and someone was going to be in trouble.  Lucky me.  Not so lucky them.

I stealthily walked down the hallway and opened a door to the main part of the church and headed down the center aisle.  I found a pew up front by the altar and dropped the kneeler.  Ah - peace and quiet and escape from the hurried pace of a typical day.  

I must have stayed 20 or 30 minutes. A maintenance man and then a priest in plain clothes came in and out of the church but did not disturb me or try to drag me out of the church.  And the best part - ideas flowed. Ideas for parts of my books and problem solutions and other ah ha's. I left the church relaxed and happy and ready for the next work project.

Sometimes we approach a situation and the first thing we try does not work. So many people give up when they run into a brick wall or any small resistance.  I encourage you to "try a few more doors" - hang in there. You may be just one more door knob away from success.  Don't give up. 

Make The Call

I presented a workshop session for a group of 60 people for a client's annual meeting last year. They enjoyed it so much they invited me back to present on another topic.  We had worked through the details and the agenda was set.  In confirmation I was copied on the note that went out to the attendees and noticed that our final description was not included - but a copied agenda from a conference I presented at earlier in the year (though very similar).  That posting mentioned that I would be providing journals to all of the attendees.

Immediately many thoughts started going through my head. Should I go ahead and provide journals to all of the attendees and not worry about it even though it wasn't included in the fee?  Did I miss something in the discussions of what was to be provided? 

It didn't take me very long to make a call to the client to discuss the confusion.  It was all settled in seconds - they certainly hadn't expected me to provide the journals.

But I've heard so many other people in situations where there was a misunderstanding created through e-mail strings; people in a meeting wondering what a higher level manager was thinking and trying to figure it out on their own; or they are upset with another person because of an assumption they hold - and they wrestled with the dilemma without making a call.

It is a risk to make the call.  But it is also a risk to not take any action.

Make the call.  So many times a majority of the things we worry about never happen.

Remember the Dale Carnegie quote - " If you have a worry problem, do these three things: 1. Ask yourself: "What is the worst that can possibly happen?" 2. Prepare to accept it if you have to. 3. Them calmly proceed to improve on the worst."

If you would like more - read his book - "How To Stop Worrying and Start Living".