Every Victory Counts

I received a card from a very good friend this morning that said these very words.  I have indeed jumped a hurdle.  There are many more to face regarding the challenge I have taken on, however I accomplished a very important one.

I think too often we don’t stop to pat ourselves on the back when we do something good.  We don’t acknowledge the ‘wins’ enough.  We tend to put disclaimers on what we accomplish.  “Oh, I just got lucky.”  Or, “I had lots of help.”  Or even, “I didn’t deserve it.”

Of course, many of us are afraid we will jinx the good luck, or if we get too carried away, life will throw us a curve ball.

On a snow trip many moons ago, I mastered a very hard slope.  I was in shock that I was able to get to the bottom of the hill without a single fall.

It was, however when I was standing still in my glory, that I fell on my ass! It is true that life has many ups and downs. 

I think that is why it is even more important to celebrate every victory that comes your way.  After all, there is not one good reason not to!

Now, go seize the day!

“You Can’t Do That”

Have you ever been told, “You can’t do it that way?”  Or, “That isn’t the way it is done?”

During a casual lunch the other day, a friend told me a story about her husband and how he started, built and eventually sold a company that he ‘lucked’ into.  I say luck with ‘tongue-in-cheek’.

He had an idea (Engineer Geek) that he felt was a winner.  The problem was he had no idea how to market his product.  It turned out that what he didn’t know worked out better for him than what he did know.

Every year there was a local trade show and he wanted his invention displayed.  He had no contacts or guidelines to help him.

What he did have was an enthusiasm for his product.  He had a belief in himself and because of this, he forged ahead.  He took pictures and he wrote a plan.  He then started digging around until he found the contact information for the company he felt was the right audience.

With no formal training, and no one to guide him and tell him all the reasons things weren’t done this way, he sent off his plan.

It turns out that his letter was read.  It turns out that he was hired for the job.  And, it turns out that he became very successful.

And, yes the end result makes this a great story.  However, the lesson is even more important to me.  And, it should be to you.

Don’t ever let anyone tell you “You aren’t good enough.”  Don’t ever let anyone tell you, “You can’t do that.”  And, don’t ever let someone else stop you from dreaming, or keep you in a box because things have never been done that way before.

A former boss of mine once said to me, “Luck is opportunity meeting preparedness.”  Something for all of us to think about!

Brass Ring

Watching George Clooney on Inside The Actor’s Studio the other night got me thinking about ‘The Brass Ring’.  He made a comment that if it weren’t for ER having that Thursday time slot he wouldn’t have ‘made it’.  He said it very casually, and was most grateful.  However, I think he is wrong.

The reference he made regarding ‘The Brass Ring’, is a symbol for having it all, by getting lucky. Right place, right time.

Remember being a child at an amusement park?  We would ride a horse on the Carousel and try to grab onto ‘The Brass Ring’ which was always just out of reach.

I believe we get many chances, and opportunities throughout our lives to achieve.  I believe there are many roads to the same place.  I believe that even if you miss the bus, there is a train, or a car, or a bike or just plain good old tennis shoes that can get you where you want to go.

I believe that people who are successful do not give up because of any obstacles thrown in their way.  They regroup and go back out there.  Not always right away, and it isn’t always easy.  But what they don’t do is give up.

I also believe that ‘The Brass Ring’ has different meanings for different people. 

For me, it means having raised a wonderful son.  Being a ‘mom’ to a couple of adorable dogs.  Enjoying a loving relationship.  And most importantly learning, growing and always feeling blessed for the things I do have.

Friends Don't Let Friends

The other day, I was talking with a professional woman around my age.  I have never met her.  A mutual friend referred her to me.  This woman owns her own ad agency and she was consulting with me on a project I am working on.

The information I was given was extremely helpful and I was so grateful for her time and patience.  While we were talking, the subject of women supporting women came up.  Or, more precisely, women undermining women.  She told me that it saddens her to see and experience so much backstabbing amongst females as they climbed up corporate ladders or were just starting out in their fields.

There is no question that we live in a competitive world.  Women are especially challenged as they also go toe-to-toe with men, who for the most part have populated the professional marketplace for generations.

Jealously, competitiveness and fear are real and ever-present.  I know there are many women who are confidant, self-assured and generous in their support and encouragement towards other women.  I know this personally, as I have been extremely fortunate to have come in contact with many of them.

Remember someone who helped you, so that you could be successful.  Think about the opportunities you have to pay it forward.