Cynthia D’Amour on Leadership and Life

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »