Suiting Up and Showing Up

As warm and fuzzy as I come across, there is also a hard-ball chica underneath this Comadre banner. When there is no time for whining, I pull out one of my favorite mantras, "Suit up and Show up."

This applies to just about anything and it doesn't mean that you must endure pain to enjoy success. Take this past week of mine. (Please- bah-dum-dum)

Last week I fought off some nasty virus that left me tired and achy. But it never developed into full blown yuck. Until the weekend when I awoke to no voice. Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday... no voice.

Tuesday was my monthly Momentum Day with my clients where we alternate having either a big group call or I take 10 minute "laser coaching" calls from clients. With no voice, I was ready to cancel.

My voice was out of order, not my hands, so I sent off a note to all clients explaining my situation and that I'd take UNLIMITED emails from them all day Tuesday.

I did some serious email coaching which was quite interesting. I read and commented on web copy, counseled a writer through deadline-phobia, read a book chapter, got more than a few people in gear... not unlike any other coaching day except this was done without talking. Pretty cool.

I was pretty worried Wednesday because I had a speaking engagement at the Orange County Holistic Moms Network in Fullerton, CA. I wasn't sure how many people would be there and my voice was super hoarse (audible, but hoarse). 11th Hour great idea: Go to Best Buy and get a cheap Karaoke machine! I knew the Holistic Moms probably wouldn't have a sound system and this was a quick solution.

Miracle of miracles, I made it through and survived. My throat was sore that night but the next day I didn't feel as run down as I had.

Funny aside: Most of the moms at the talk were either pregnant or had little ones with them. It reminded me of a birthing class- lots of pregnant women on pillows while I stood and spoke. Two adorable toddlers played catch in the middle of the circle and occasionally threw a soft ball at my feet. Here I was talking about how multi-tasking does no one any good and at the same time I'm kicking the ball back to them.

The next day was the Orange County Business Journal Women in Business Award luncheon. I was nominated for the 2nd year in a row, but didn't win. There were 158 nominees and some pretty heavy hitters in the crowd.

But I suited up and showed up, and got to enjoy the week on my terms. I was ready to cancel everything but with some creative thinking, I managed to mend my voice AND get everything done. (The goody bag at the Business Journal event was to die for. Full size spa products, gift certificates, jewelry... classy!)

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