Last month I was working to achieve a milestone in my business, a new “rank” in the organization. To do this, I was taking daily action steps towards it, visualizing, attempting to keep a positive mindset, and supporting my team, because like many goals – it takes a village.
The afternoon of August 30th I was looking over the numbers and said to my husband, “I don’t think I’ll make it, maybe I should just start focusing on September and forget about this month.”
Ugh! Don’t you hate when people call you out on your own stuff?
I wanted to dismiss his advice and go take a nap. I was tired and on the verge of tears (okay, not just the verge). The past six weeks had been emotionally draining with Beth’s situation (mentioned above). She’s not only a friend, but my #1 go to with all things business – especially encouragement. I’d lost (temporarily) my valued mastermind partner and I simply did not know what else to do to make this happen, not to mention I was missing her like CRAZY, so yep, I cried.I shared my frustration with another friend who responded by asking me if I knew that famous quote from the movie A Few Good Men.
You mean, “You can’t handle the truth!” ?
No, he replied.
“You don’t need a patch on your arm to have honor.”
Hmm, while I know that’s true, and rank or recognition is not a a big motivator me, I had begun to attach myself to the outcome.
He’s right, I thought. As long as I know I’d done my best, I could try again next month.
So what happened next?
That afternoon I followed up on every action that might get me there. I laid down on the floor of my office, did some breathing, said a prayer of gratitude (and dabbed some essential oils on, of course).
I wrote an email to my team thanking them for their hard work and encouraging them to make the last day count.
The next day I continued to take targeted action. In between meetings, I stopped for a long overdue deluxe car wash (I mean it’s been years since I’ve washed those floor mats!). Hey, a winner should drive a clean car!
I stopped at the store and brought chips, salsa, and fresh flowers for my kitchen table. I invited a few friends for margaritas and chips in my backyard to celebrate.
Had I made the goal yet? No, but I was acting “as if” and I planned to celebrate my efforts irrespective of the outcome.
I had let go of the outcome.
I had a super fun evening out on my patio with my friends over chips, salsa and margaritas (and some wine too).
Oh, and at 11:59 pm, I hit the goal.