Cynthia D’Amour on Leadership and Life

   Hurts so good?
This weekend I joined a gym.

Been working out every day.
Discovering new muscles.
(Who knew I had so many?)

The pain seems never-ending.

Every time I do something new, it grows too.
It’s sort of draining.
In a big way.

I’m also having to rethink my calendar.

Making time for working out.
Setting boundaries.
Training staff.

All in all, this pain is a [...]

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   A priority.
To say I’m busy is an understatement.

I’m traveling all over.
Loving my work.
And dealing with family health issues as well.

Somewhere in there I lost me.

Stress has been building.
I can feel it zinging around.
Definitely needs a release.

Yesterday I took action and joined WCC’s Health & Fitness Center.

It’s a lovely facility.
Very airy with lots of machines.
Plus a spa-like [...]

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   Elsie.
I’m working with the Dairy Farmers of America.

Talking to their Young Cooperators.
About how to be an ambassador.
And tell their stories.

Walking the expo yesterday I got to meet a true celebrity.

Elsie the cow.
With beautiful brown eyes and a necklace of yellow flowers.
She had a crowd of fans around her.

Of course, I had to get a [...]

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   Literally.
This weekend I ate Crave Restaurant.

In the Mall of America.
With my friend Pam.
Fresh food with cool ambiance.

They had a smile menu.

All the drinks and foods were smiling somehow.
Smiling sushi, pizza, martinis and more.
Designed to benefit the Smile Network - a local nonprofit which provides reconstructive surgery to children who can’t afford it.

I ordered the [...]

Filed under: Board challenges, Getting More Members Involved | 2 Comments »

   And did it well.
This morning I pulled out for a big road trip.

Four cities in ten days.
Temperatures ranging from 20s to 80s.
Determined to only use a rollerboard suitcase.

I packed with a vengeance.

Layers abounded.
Mid-week wash planned.
And my quart bag loaded to the gills with liquids.

James dropped me at the airport.

I approached security.
And panic hit.
No bag [...]

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Seriously.
I was having a quiet dinner.

Yummy Mexican.
Wonderful salsa.
A meringue in my mouth.

Then the drones arrived.

Two twin boys.
Maybe four years old.
Gleefully began their reign of terror.

Their mother was clueless.

Focused on ordering food.
She let the boys run loose.
And they did - screaming all the way!

Jumping from booth to booth…

Competing as only brothers can.
To suck the salt [...]

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Beats me.
I’m at a seminar this weekend.

Focused on framing sponsorships in new ways.
I’m excited about the content.
And look forward to trying it out.

The audience is interesting…

Lots of passionate people.
With big ideas.
Looking to make a difference.

And then there’s the book lady…

At first glance, she’s nice looking.
Until you notice she has her book covers hanging on [...]

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Literally.
Yesterday I had to walk through a revolving door to get into the airport.

It was a big revolving door.
Only two sections.
Each could hold several people at one time.

I rolled into my section.

As a team we moved forward.
All focused on making our flights.
And the door stopped.

We shuffled our feet.

There was an UGH or two.
And then [...]

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