Cynthia D’Amour on Leadership and Life

Before they even start?

The team at Craft & Hobby Association just made a video about their upcoming winter 2013 conference and trade show.

• It showcases the creativity of the people planning it.
• Clearly spells out they want members and expo folks to join them.
• And makes me giggle.

The video also invites their members to join the fun.

• Near the end, they announce a video contest.
• Inviting others to creatively promote their upcoming event.
• And offer an exciting prize to boot!

Here’s the video from YouTube:

Makes me think of chapter leaders, how do you give your events energy months before they happen?

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Why not?

The American Water Works Association did just that.

• Got creative.
• Had some fun.
• Made their members smile!

I love it!

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I should know.

I’ve been slow to buy new clothes to wear around the house.

• I have nice clothes for the road – so I look good for clients.
• And clothes that fit for the gym – so Mollie can watch my form.
• But not so much for my casual wear.

I’m on a six-month, fat-burning challenge.

• The weight is peeling off me.
• I won’t wear the clothes for long.
• Does it really make a difference?

A certain friend thinks so.

• When she discovered I was wearing summer clothing that fit 50+ pounds ago.
• Threatened to turn me into one of those fashion makeover shows.
• For wearing such oversized rags!

I didn’t think it was that bad.

• So decided to do a test.
• Got a pair of jeans and a top that fit closely.
• Did a photo shoot.

Here’s my before and after:

Hmm…Maybe she has a point.

• I feel better in the smaller clothes.
• Got some swagger in my walk.
• I’m surprised I didn’t realize how bad it was!

I’m burning up the fat in my body with my six-month challenge.

• Guess it’s time to burn up the fat clothes too.
• (Or at least donate them so someone else can wear them.)
• I’m worth the investment – even for clothes I wear around the house.

A special thanks to a certain friend for the hard-to-hear wake up call!

Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you make sure your chapter activities still fit your members and their interests?

Filed under: Cynthia's Fitness Adventure, Getting More Members Involved | 8 Comments »

And a new chapter in my life.

Three years ago, my cousin Sarah visited me.

• We both thought we looked good.
• Decided to play makeovers.
• We cut her hair and bought new makeup.

Exercise was not my thing back then!

• A trip to the mailbox was huge.
• I had to walk to and from the end of my driveway.
• Plus up and down three steps!

Today I ran a 5K for the first time in my life.

• The heat index was in the 90s.
• I fought off heat exhaustion with the help of my team.
• Ran across the finish line in a state of wonder.

Even more fun…

• Sarah flew in from Denver to run with me.
• She’s been doing her own fitness journey.
• And is looking great.

Discovering the new me is fascinating adventure – having someone to do it with is even better!

Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you include others in your growth?

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Sweat rules?

As a teen, I was well trained.

• Dad attended military school.
• He shaved before coming down every day – so I cleaned up too.
• Hair and makeup done before breakfast.

Most of my adult life, I never left my house totally undone.

• Even going to workout.
• Would put on lipstick – just in case.
• So did my workout friends.

When I was really big, I needed glamor.

• My clothes looked like tents.
• At least my hair looked nice.
• And face was finished.

Two years ago I started my fitness quest.

• I sweated like crazy.
• Wearing makeup to the gym was painful.
• And I looked dumb as it dripped down my face.

The more fit I get, the more I like me.

• So much so I put up photos of me sans makeup on the Internet.
• With red-faced sweat at full glow.
• How far I’ve come!

Still, sort of glad my Dad doesn’t surf the Internet!

Makes me think of chapter leaders…do you let others see you sweat?

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Bad.

I was finishing my healthy dinner when it hit.

• An urge that almost overwhelmed me.
• I wanted chocolate.
• Right then – and lots of it.

The cupboard taunted me.

• Inside it was a bag of decadent 60% dark chocolate chips.
• I could cut the corner.
• Know one would know but me.

The craving grew stronger.

• My stomach turned.
• My mind could taste the chocolate.
• Just a few steps away…

I needed to remove myself from the kitchen.

• Immediately.
• So I did.
• The dishes could wait until later.

The voice of reason started to ask questions…

• Did I have a trigger food by accident?
• Did I want a glass of water?
• How about playing on Facebook?

I wish I could say it was easy.

• It wasn’t.
• But, today wasn’t my day for a treat this week.
• Not. Today.

I’m sad the craving raged.

• But proud I walked away.
• My travels require me to be around food.
• I need to love myself more than a few bites of junk.

Score tonight: Cynthia-1; Craving-0

Makes me think of chapter leaders…How do you stay strong on your chapter’s new path when the old ways want you back?

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Scary!

Had a chat with my trainer Mollie yesterday.

• About my progress.
• Actually backwards slippage due to cracked toe.
• Time to recalibrate.

We started with measurements – a.k.a. reality check.

• Talked about cleaner eating.
• And what to do the 22 hours I’m not in the gym.
• My new goal: Down 40 pounds by Halloween.

I smiled and agreed.

• Then totally freaked out when I hit my car.
• 40 pounds by Halloween!
• In 2012?

I immediately began listing why this was impossible…

• I’m traveling a lot.
• Running a business.
• Got family commitments.
• No time for needed cooking.
• Want time for James and the girls.
• And on and on.

If I was my client I would get in my face and challenge big time.

• Instead I started accepting defeat.
• Before I even pulled out of the gym parking lot!
• What a loser.

I ran 2.5 miles of intervals today.

• Had quite an argument with myself.
• Was this goal logical?
• Could I do it?

Mathematically, 40 by Halloween is possible.

• It’s not really outrageous.
• I know how to do it.
• It sounds scary.

Decided to share with all of you.

• So this goal can’t slink away into my fuzzy memory.
• Instead, you all know now.
• It’s up to me to make it happen.

And I’ll get there with a little help from my friends.

Makes me think of chapter leaders… how do you plan for success when committing to big goals?

Filed under: Cynthia's Fitness Adventure, Strategic Thinking | 8 Comments »

So happy!

This weekend I started to run again.

• My cracked toe finally healed.
• The pounding doesn’t hurt.
• (Took long enough!)

Am now rebuilding.

• First day was .5 mile run/walk intervals.
• Saturday I did 1.2 miles.
• Today I clocked 2.0 miles!

I still have to keep my attitude in check.

• I’m slower than I used to be.
• (Any slower I’ll be running backwards!)
• On a fun note, I feel much stronger than pre-toe.

My first 5K is scheduled for July 4th.

• Training will be tough.
• I’m traveling almost every week.
• But I’m committed.

I’m not worried re times for that race.

• Just want to finish with a smile on my face.
• Takes a ton of pressure off my training.
• And lets me focus on fun.

The Queen of the Very Slow Trot on the Track is back!

Makes me think of chapter leaders…what goal are you working towards that brings you joy as you grow?

Filed under: Cynthia's Fitness Adventure, Savvy Leadership | 2 Comments »