Cynthia D’Amour on Leadership and Life

Still blue.

Yesterday we went to the Michigan Women’s Basketball game.

• For me, it was a whole new game.
• Even though we’ve attended for a few years.
• And I grew up loving basketball.

My fitness quest gave me a different perspective.

• I no longer just watched the game.
• I also watched how the player’s moved.
• And compared to training with Mollie.

Wow! Look at her throw that ball across the court!

• Mollie makes me do an overhead throw.
• With a weighted ball.
• Wonder how far I could throw a regular basketball?

OMG! Look at how much those women are squatting.

• I sometimes do 100 squats in an hour with Mollie.
• Usually holding 40+ pounds.
• But they are doing that in the first five minutes!

Oooh! Look at the muscles on that woman’s arms.

• Love the definition.
• Mollie makes me do a gazillion things with my arms.
• Wonder if I can get that cut?

Cracked James up as I gave him running commentary on the game I was seeing.

Makes me think of chapter leaders…what happens when you look at your chapter work with new eyes?

Filed under: Cynthia's Fitness Adventure, Strategic Thinking | No Comments »

(Even though my blood runs green!)

I am a proud Michigan State grad.

• My blood is green.
• I’m a huge Izzo fan.
• Have wonderful memories of school.

Tonight I switched teams.

• We attended a Michigan’s Women’s Basketball game.
• Been going to games for a few years.
• Enjoy watching the women develop their skills.

When I first moved to Ann Arbor, I was firmly green.

• Over time I realized the interesting opportunities the University of Michigan offers the community.
• More importantly, I wanted to support women in sports.
• The basketball players are amazing athletes - and the games are fun.

It only gets dicey when Michigan plays Michigan State.

• Then I cheer for both teams.
• I honor my roots - and my team.
• (Drives a few people crazy.)

I’m proud to support the women athletes.

Makes me think of chapter leaders…do your actions honor your values?

Filed under: Savvy Leadership | No Comments »

Yeah!

Today I got up early to cook.

• I made protein-packed, cherry-almond oatmeal.
• And pumpkin protein bars.
• All before 8 AM!

Just came off three days on the road.

• My food stash was depleted.
• I had a date with Mollie, my trainer, at noon.
• Wanted to be able to eat properly to prepare.

What a difference in my workout!

• I rowed with 70 pounds.
• Swung a 35-pound kettlebell all over.
• Held a plank position on a wobbly BOSU ball while doing jumping jacks with my feet!

The biggest impact was after the workout.

• I wasn’t exhausted.
• Finished the afternoon at work strong.
• And smiled at all I accomplished.

What a huge difference compared to when I don’t eat as strategically!

Makes me think of chapter leaders…Do you do the prep work needed to make your meetings more successful?

Filed under: Cynthia's Fitness Adventure, Magic Meetings | No Comments »

Well done!

Just spent the weekend working at Disney World.

• Stayed at the Swan and Dolphin Resort.
• My first time there.
• They walk their talk when it comes to inclusion.

There were several pools.

• Each had it’s own chairlift.
• Even the hot tub.
• (It’s the white machine on the left of the hot tub.)

Way to go Swan and Dolphin Resort for investing in access!

Makes me think of chapter leaders…what do your actions say about how much you really want different members involved?

Filed under: Recruiting New Members, Savvy Leadership | No Comments »

Anymore.

I had a big ah-ha this week.

• Didn’t realize how much I used to hurt.
• Or what I was missing when out of shape.
• Surprised by the insight.

I had to walk the entire length of the MSP airport - more than a mile.

• Used to leave me exhausted.
• Covered with sweat.
• This week it was just a walk.

I decided to stop at Mall of America - America’s largest mall.

• Wanted to move a little between flying and the two-hour drive ahead of me.
• Used to count it as exercise.
• Now just stretching my legs.

We’ve been selling a lot of books.

• I’ve been carrying the boxes to UPS.
• (James is still on limited lifting post-surgery.)
• Not a big deal - only 35 pounds.

At some point this week a light went off in my head.

• Living life used to be much harder for me.
• I counted normal daily activities as exercise.
• Lived at a slower pace.

With my fitness improved, watch out world here I come!

Makes me think of chapter leaders…what could you do bigger with ease if your chapter was more fit?

Filed under: Board challenges, Cynthia's Fitness Adventure | No Comments »

A lot.

Had a great workout at the gym.

• New personal record time for distance.
• Hit some new speed highs.
• Mollie suggested I step up to a bigger challenge.

Came home riding on a bubble of dancing thoughts.

• Grabbed the goods to make my protein shake.
• Healthy liquids.
• Lots of blueberries.

My mind was consumed playing with Mollie’s challenge.

• I heard the blender groan in the corner of my ear.
• Grabbed the cup that was being mixed.
• Gave it a twist to take off machine.

Next thing I knew my world was purple.

• My blueberry shake was everywhere at once.
• On me and the counters.
• All over the floor.

Raindrop was ecstatic.

• Yummy treat falling from the sky!
• My heart sank.
• How fast would this stuff stain?

As I cleaned I began to laugh - served me right for ignoring what was going on in front of me.

Makes me think of chapter leaders… is your lack of focus creating a purple mess for your chapter?

Filed under: Board challenges, Cynthia's Fitness Adventure | No Comments »

From my life.

This week has been hard.

• Three trips in one week.
• Overpacked schedule.
• Drama from new heart rate monitor.

I took charge of my day.

• Decided to visit my parents.
• Packed up James and the dogs.
• Headed to my childhood home.

My folks were happy to see me.

• We shared stories of adventures and memories.
• Goofed around with the camera in my phone.
• Played with the dogs.

It was a fabulous day - and just what I needed!

Makes me think of chapter leaders…what do you do when you need a timeout from being a leader?

Filed under: Savvy Leadership | 2 Comments »

Darn heart rate monitor!

Today I used my monitor for first time with the elliptical.

• I was excited.
• What would my real numbers say?
• I was thinking big.

And boy was I wrong!

• My monitor calories burned were 100 less than the machine numbers.
• In spite of working hard.
• Setting a new personal record for timed distance.

Drama Queen engaged as I stomped around in my mind in disgust.

• Why bother working out?
• Nothing works.
• The monitor is dumb.

It wasn’t my proudest moment.

• Luckily my trainer Mollie started texting me.
• We worked through the drama.
• I’m back to charge neutral.

Will keep using the monitor to see what happens - stay tuned.

Makes me think of chapter leaders…who is your voice of reason when results clash with your expectations?

Filed under: Cynthia's Fitness Adventure, Savvy Leadership | 4 Comments »