Posted on May 15th, 2012 by Cynthia D'Amour
Or even that you want me.
Got a personal invite to a chapter event.
- The group was a good fit for me.
- The meeting sounded fun.
- I was tempted.
And then I read the next paragraph.
- She acknowledged I was not a member.
- Shared the event location – five hours away.
- And date – tomorrow!
Did she seriously think I would drop everything to attend a full-day commitment the NEXT day?
- Instead of being thankful for the invite.
- I’m sort of put-off.
- What happened to respect?
First impressions are lasting…
- She is my (lacking) image of the chapter.
- I’m sure other chapter leaders might think more ahead.
- But I don’t have time to check them out.
Personal touch is not enough – I want respect too.
Makes me think of chapter leaders…what kind of first impression do you make with potential members?
Filed under: Recruiting New Members | No Comments »
Posted on May 6th, 2012 by Cynthia D'Amour
Reality check.
Went down to the beach to watch the sunset.
- Noticed a good-sized wedding.
- Taking place in the back of the beach.
- How lovely.
I walked to water’s edge.
- Joined a small crowd of folks.
- Happy to end the day in beauty.
- Sat down and started to relax.
Unfortunately the bride had other ideas...
- She wanted wedding shots on the water’s edge.
- Right in front of me.
- Friends and family blocking my sunset view.
They stormed into the midst of my happy space.
- Kicked sand in my face.
- Positioned themselves with total disregard for the rest of us.
- Focused on their photos.
I moved several feet down the beach.
- To get away from them.
- And reclaim my nirvana.
- They followed me.
I’m a fan of true love and beautiful pictures.
- Rudeness – not so much.
- No apologies offered for ruining my view.
- Either time.
It was an unnecessarily frustrating end to a long day.
Makes me think of chapter leaders…are you aware of the impact your actions have on others in your chapter?
Filed under: Keeping members, Savvy Leadership | No Comments »
Posted on May 4th, 2012 by Cynthia D'Amour
The smoke is gone.
Decided to cook dinner.
- In rental unit kitchenette.
- Got fresh meat.
- Heated my pan.
Tossed the meat in right after a little oil.
- Smoke started to billow immediately.
- No fire.
- But lots of smoke.
Turned down the heat.
- It was too late.
- The kitchen became as smokey as a bar after midnight.
- It was hard to breathe and to see.
I opened the windows.
- Turned on the ceiling fan.
- Swung the front door back and forth.
- The room stayed dark with smoke – no matter what I did.
I went to pull my hair in frustration.
- And discovered my sunglasses on my face.
- I thought my contacts were out and I was wearing my normal glasses.
- Whoops!
Removed the sunglasses and saw a fairly smoke-free room.
Makes me think of chapter leader…What gets in the way of you seeing issues clearly?
Filed under: Strategic Thinking | No Comments »
Posted on May 3rd, 2012 by Cynthia D'Amour

For the day.
Three months ago my trainer Mollie issued me a challenge.
- To work out at the beach guys’ lifting gym.
- The next time I was at a beach.
- Today is the day.
I woke early this morning.
- Sick to my stomach.
- My nerves jangled.
- My workout scheduled for early afternoon.
As the morning progressed, it got worse.
- I studied the workout Mollie gave me.
- Practiced the moves as if at the gym.
- Nothing helped.
My productivity was shot.
- Decided to hit the gym early.
- Walked through the Beach Bods gym doors with knees shaking.
- And pretended like I belonged.
The staff person on duty was welcoming.
- The gym was small.
- He still gave me a tour.
- No kettlebells or medicine balls to be found.
I strategized some modifications.
- And started my workout.
- I relaxed as soon as I started lifting weights.
- With 100% concentration, the rest of the world faded away.
I completed the workout.
- It was hard.
- Some of the machines were different and felt a little weird.
- Couldn’t wait to text Mollie!
Oh yeah… I held my own with the Beach Bods people today!
Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you conquer your personal roadblocks?
Filed under: Cynthia's Fitness Adventure, Savvy Leadership | No Comments »
Posted on April 25th, 2012 by Cynthia D'Amour
Times FOUR!
I worked out with my trainer Mollie this morning.
- Exercising around my cracked toe.
- To keep the rest of me strong.
- And ready to run again in the future.
Mollie usually gives me sets of exercises to do.
- This morning was no different.
- 15 push ups on the BOSU ball followed by 30 seconds of Russian twists.
- Four sets of each.
I did the math quickly.
- 4 X 15 = 60!
- 60 push ups in just our first round of exercises.
- My prior record was 36!
The cool thing – I didn’t totally freak out.
- And self doubt.
- Although I did squeal a bit.
- Then assumed the position to start.
I did them all.
- I won’t lie…
- 59 and 60 were really hard.
- I finished feeling pretty proud.
Mollie shared she had another client do more than 100 push ups in one session!
- Wow!
- And I smiled inside.
- Knowing I had a glimpse of my future too.
Mollie gives me sneak peeks of where she is leading me so I don’t get too comfortable where I am.
Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you help your members stay comfortable with continued growth?
Filed under: Cynthia's Fitness Adventure, Savvy Leadership | No Comments »
Posted on April 17th, 2012 by Cynthia D'Amour
Of a rain storm.
Sunday was supposed to be the big day.
- Running my first 5K.
- Trained for weeks to get ready.
- Dreams crushed last week by a cracked toe.
Never thought about rain.
- Did my training on a track in the gym.
- Was going to do four runs outside before the race.
- To get used to pounding on cement.
Not sure I would have run that morning.
- Was it safe to run in a storm?
- Would my contacts stay in my eyes?
- Did runners wear raincoats?
Wow – I wasn’t really prepared for the race.
- My training had focused on me
- Ignored the big picture of what could be.
- No plans for potential challenges.
What an eye-opener!
Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you keep your eye on the big picture as you do your volunteer work?
Filed under: Strategic Thinking | 2 Comments »
Posted on April 12th, 2012 by Cynthia D'Amour
Should be easy, right?
Yesterday I decided to invest in a training program.
- Participated in a webinar with the expert.
- Enjoyed his energy and easy teaching style.
- Focused on growth area for my business.
I checked out his website.
- The package looked great.
- Would spell out just what we needed.
- Plus promised instant access.
I had no plans last night.
- TV looked boring.
- This was perfect timing.
- Was going to get a jump start on the materials.
Placed the order.
- Gave my credit card.
- Got a receipt.
- And nothing.
No instant access to materials.
- Not even 15 hours later.
- And after submitting a request for help to their support desk.
- Simply radio silence.
Wish he hadn’t promoted the instant access.
- I was extra excited.
- Now sort of let down.
- I’m sure I’ll eventually get the materials.
Glad I saw this guy live – if not I’d be worrying about the quality of the materials too!
Makes me think of chapter leaders…how well do you deliver on the promises you make your members?
Filed under: Keeping members | No Comments »
Posted on April 10th, 2012 by Cynthia D'Amour
Sorta numb.
This past weekend, my life took an unexpected turn.
- Playing with Raindrop.
- Slammed into a box of books at full speed run.
- Oh the pain!
My heart sank with the doctor’s verdict.
- I cracked a toe.
- Will take 4-6 weeks to heal.
- No more running for now.
I had been secretly planning to run my first 5K next weekend.
- Training like a fool.
- Over the top excited.
- My dreams of glory fizzled.
Sure I know this is just a set back.
- But it feels more like a decision point.
- Two roads diverged in the woods.
- I took the path…
In my sadness and forced lack of movement, old habits raise challengingly.
- How will I lose weight if I can’t workout?
- Can I really eat to keep the fires burning.
- So many goal dates are going to be messed up, who cares what I do?
I’m having a pity party – and I know it.
- The choice should be easy.
- This is simply a little challenge.
- So many believe in me…
The sunny optimist in me is just a little smothered at the moment.
Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you keep going when it’s easier to stop?
Filed under: Cynthia's Fitness Adventure, Savvy Leadership | 2 Comments »