Cynthia D’Amour on Leadership and Life

No duh.
Had a conversation with an association manager.

A few weeks ago.
The who doesn’t matter.
The story does.

He was struggling to get members to volunteer.

No one would say yes.
No one had time.
His association was stumbling big time.

I asked how people recruited him to volunteer.

He said he didn’t volunteer.
No interest.
Not a joiner.

He spewed out more reasons…

No time.
Boss [...]

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

   Ugh.
I want to start taking karate.

My gym offers it for free.
Had a fab time with the instructor a week ago.
I learned a ton about self defense.

And yet my stomach spins as time grows close.

My head rumbles with excuses.
Why staying home makes more sense.
What if the weather changes?

Writing about my fear is making it worse.

I need [...]

Filed under: Cynthia's Fitness Adventure, Recruiting New Members | No Comments »

And disappointing too.
Today I got a card in the mail.

Snail mail!
A greeting card.
I was excited.

Who would send me a card this week?

Had I done something nice?
Made a difference?
Forgot a holiday?

I didn’t recognize the return address.

I opened the envelop eagerly.
Peeked in.
And was confused.

The front had a motivational message.

Pictures of a dog on the inside.
According to [...]

Filed under: Keeping members, Rants | 1 Comment »

And letting go.
Today has been quite the adventure.

I’m in California.
This morning I did a 3-hour Lazy Leader program.
In San Diego.

As soon as I was done, the dash began.

I had to run to change clothes.
Got picked up by my ride.
30 minutes later.

My driver was sick.

She had flu.
Coughing like crazy.
I refused worry about the germs I [...]

Filed under: Savvy Leadership | 3 Comments »

Seriously.
I needed a new pair of jeans.

Stopped at Macy’s.
Found one that fit nicely.
Happily took my purchase to be rung up.

I confessed I ripped a tag off.

My waist is smaller than it should be for my size.
(An interesting “problem” to have.)
Gave jeans a tug - and the tag came off.

The sales clerk suggested I don’t [...]

Filed under: Getting More Members Involved, Rants | No Comments »

   Totally.
A month ago I set a new world record.

For me.
10.75 assisted pull ups.
With a break in the middle.

Since then life got in the way.

Travel for work.
Vacation.
You name it.

Last week was my first training session post-vacation.

Joy, QOT, was happy when I did 11 assisted pull ups.
With a break in the middle.
Pulling 100 pounds.

Today felt different.

I was [...]

Filed under: Cynthia's Fitness Adventure, Savvy Leadership | No Comments »

Where do they go?
Last week I got a massage.

In Clearwater, FL.
I picked the place because they used different approaches than I was used to.
I wanted an adventure.

For two years or so my upper back has been tight.

Very tight.
I wore my shoulders like ear bobs.
And got sort of used to it.

My therapist worked her magic.

My [...]

Filed under: Board challenges | 2 Comments »

   Ahhh!!!
I’ve been unplugged.

For the last week.
Spent it at a beach.
In Florida.

James was with me.

We ate well.
Played hard.
Had some great discussions.

Sometimes my mind was just white space.

Enjoying the colors.
The waves rolling in.
(It was totally weird!)

Last year I only took one week off.

And paid for it big time.
Swine flu for six weeks.
Over the December holidays.

This year I [...]

Filed under: Savvy Leadership | No Comments »