Did I mention I’m a complete flake? People who meet me on the web never believe that, but if you ask anyone who knows me IRL [In Real Life], they would all nod knowingly: “Are you kidding?”
Yesterday, a close friend lost patience with my forgetfulness and hung up on me. She’s 83, but her memory is better than mine. I still can’t remember what the favor was that I’d promised to do for her.
Last night, as I was getting sleepy and ready for bed, I suddenly remembered I hadn’t yet written today’s post. Or even thought about what to write. I DM’d David, who replied,
Seriously just laughed out loud at that! Now THAT would have indeed been consistent with your blog title. 😉
At least I’m consistent.
I tried to write but was too tired to think, so I set the alarm and went to bed. It’s 2:50 am now. I’m not trying to get sympathy, but to find SOME connection with the challenge so I can go back to bed, dammit. :p
I guess the connection is that we all fail sometimes, in life and in business, and we have to forgive ourselves and start again. I called my friend back and apologized sincerely — but frankly, I’m not upset with myself. As she loudly pointed out, I should have written it down [whatever it was] but I didn’t. I’ll try to do better next time.
My friend doesn’t understand that life has changed drastically for me in the past week-and-a-half since the challenge began, and there’s no way I can explain it to her. I have gone from being paralyzed with fear that I’ll make a mistake or forget a commitment to having a strange-for-me confidence that somehow everything will work out.
And if I screw up, well, it’s not the end of the world.
That, for me, is a life-altering mindshift.
In the short span of time since the challenge began, I have happily agreed to interviews and guest posts, offered a free voice coaching webinar, realized that means I have to learn how to create a Powerpoint presentation in a week, and entered into an agreement to create an iPhone app [yes, an APP!] for voice coaching.
It feels like an amusement park ride: thrilling and out of control, but I’m pretty sure I’ll live through it.
All of us, when we jumped into this challenge without much serious contemplation, took a leap of faith. We didn’t know what “loving our customers” meant, exactly, or how we would find a way from that to making our customers love us — or to the final goal: making money.
And we certainly didn’t imagine how it would change us. At least I didn’t. Did you?
Your task today is to stop and take a look inward.
- Are you changing, growing as a result of #customerlove?
- Have you made mistakes?
- Did you forgive yourself and move on?
- What’s the next daring leap of faith you will take?
Tell me in the comments below, and then I’d love it if you would tweet this post.
And I think that’s a wrap! I’m going back to bed, darlings, feeling much better now. 🙂 G’night!
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Well I think you’re fabulous! And of course I could sooo identify with what you said . . . !! I know how busy we’ve all been (okay I admit, some more than others !!) and I’ve seen you ‘boppin’ up all over the place being the No.1 cheerleader for everyone everywhere. . .
And to think of what you have achieved personally . . . it’s just brilliant! Well done!! Yay!! Go LaVonne!!
Lots of behind the scenes work going on for me and a little early to talk about that yet, but I have certainly been inspired by the *Love* energy flowing out and into everyone!!
Thanks so much all you wonderful people !!
I just love getting comments and tweets from you because you always make me
feel warm and fuzzy. Thank you, dear heart!
~LaVonne
“Every flake is beautiful.” And no I’m not talking about snow, I’m talking about You and You and You there just reading the comments. Screwing up is so not the end of the world and yet when
you’rewe’re feeling that feeling it is hard to remember it’s just not true.And in answer to your questions – Most definitely, As many as ever, I’m here commenting and kicking & breathing, To commit to what is in my heart.Uh oh. Writing that last sentence feels like it might be a mistake and end my world. Anyone got a paper bag?Yes! Every flake is beautiful! I need to put that up on the site somewhere.
Maybe it should be my new tag line. 😀
~LaVonne
For me this customer love challenge is about having a deadline and some comrades to do this with. I’m a flake if I don’t have a deadline. If I’m not busy, nothing gets done, but I do crave for a day when I have nothing to do except maybe read a novel. Ooh, how novel.
My next daring leap of faith is to create an online photography course. I’ve got about 18 days to do it by the look of it!
Now, THAT is a daring leap of faith! I downloaded your digital camera buying
guide – thank you!
~LaVonne
LaVonne, I *love* this post. I can really identify with the part about things changing so quickly and thus calling you to step it up. {And I concur with your realization that if you mess up — if *any* of us mess up — it’s not the end of the world.}
For me, this #customerlove Challenge is about connecting even more intimately with my right people, hearing them in a new way, & realizing that they genuinely need the help I can offer. I have to admit that while I have my idea for the product I want to create and launch at the end of this, that part’s really taken a backseat to the fun and satisfaction of daily engagement with my right people and fellow Challengers. I think for me the biggest accomplishment will actually be getting the thing launched! I’m an expert at revving up and thus often find myself living at 80%. I like to leave 20% of lots of things undone, I think to keep myself uncomfortable {what’s *that* about?}. I’m committed to taking my product idea to fruition this time, mostly because I believe it can help some of my right people.
Have I told you lately that I’m grateful to you for putting this Challenge together?
Abby, I’m having the same problem — almost too much fun with engaging and
not enough time/effort going into creating the end product. Getting nervous
about that, actually. :p
~LaVonne
Yeah, me, too. Perhaps you and I should set up a mini accountability partnership to keep ourselves on track for launch? Daily DMs to check in and report progress?
Ooh, good idea!
~LaVonne
“I have gone from being paralyzed with fear that I’ll make a mistake or forget a commitment to having a strange-for-me confidence that somehow everything will work out.”
Yes LaVonne it all DOES work out– and what a gorgeous, sexy gift it is to know that, in your bones, right now!
Thanks, Peggie! I was really surprised as I wrote that, realizing it was —
IS– 100% true. Never thought it would happen.
~LaVonne
Fellow flake here! I retweeted something with a personal comment added that could very well look like it was [or was] in poor taste. It’s cool with the original tweeter, and she told me not to touch it. But I’m still a bit wiggly. I’m 80% self forgiven, but it’s increasing by the minute.
The #customerlove challenge is about not holding back the silly parts of myself even if I’m self conscious. I hope that I can make it OK for others to come out of the silly closet too. And – I have no idea what I’m doing or where this will end up. But I’m getting to know some cool people in the process.
You know, I think an interesting phenomenon of making mistakes is that the
more you make, the less afraid of them you become. You realize that they’re
just mistakes. There’s no law against making them — well, except ILLEGAL
mistakes, lol. The only penalty is whatever natural consequence comes with
them, and that’s usually way smaller than our fear of them. Go, Linda!
~LaVonne
This is fabulous!
I love your voice. It feels like we’re having a fab chat over a cup of tea when I read your blog. And I’m a flake because I’m loving all this customerlove going around, but the thing I noticed most in your post is that you’re worried about creating a PowerPoint presentation. Let me know if you need a hand with that. I’ve done a few here and there over the years. lol
and, yes, I’m making mistakes like crazy, learning something new from each, and carrying on. So far, this is all development, so I’m telling myself it’s okay.
New site with new business should be live sometime next week.
Hugs and butterflies,
~Teresa~
Thank you so much for offering to help, Teresa! Actually, I said Powerpoint
because I didn’t want to explain that I’ll actually be using Open Office
Impress. I’ve never done anything with either before and I’m overwhelmed!
~LaVonne
I’ve got Open Office, also, but haven’t worked in at *as much*. I’d still be happy to help in any way I can (I actually talk the PowerPoint course at the local college for a few years) Email me if you have questions or want a few tips to get started.
Hugs and butterflies,
~Teresa~
Thanks,, that’s great to hear! Now I’m looking into Ustream as a possibly
better alternative. Gonna try it out and make a decision tomorrow.
~LaVonne
Love this post. Now I need to go back and read day 1-9!
Thanks, Bobbie — I hope you enjoy the read!
~LaVonne
I realized at some point in my life that as long as I strove for perfection I would always be a failure. But when I strive for Pretty Damn Good I have a much better chance of succeeding. Sounds like you are learning the same lesson.
You Go Girl!
I never thought of it like that, but you’re right. There is no option but
failure if you insist on being perfect — because perfection isn’t possible.
Thank you!
~LaVonne