Show Up Fully…You Never Know Where it’ll Lead
Last year I was invited to speak on a panel at a local community college to a group of entrepreneurs during National Entrepreneurship Week discussing “Success Skills for Women.” For me, it’s a joy to be on a panel, I love the interaction, the students coming up to ask questions when it’s over and the connections I make with the other panelists. An extra perk is that I got to get dressed up and put on lipstick (which I rarely do while working from home.)
While the college market is not necessarily my target market, I’ve always envisioned myself speaking to groups of young people to share the possibilities of what entrepreneurship can mean in their lives. During the 5-mile walks I took during my first pregnancy, I often rehearsed the talk I wanted to share to high school students telling them to be open to all the learning that came their way, no matter in what form.
Fast forward many months and I received a message from a professor of business and entrepreneurial studies from the community college. She wanted to nominate me for Connecticut SBA’s Women in Business Champion of the Year award. I was traveling a lot during that time, didn’t take in the opportunity she was presenting me, forgot to get back to her, and pretty much dropped the ball.
Two days before Thanksgiving she called again, this time reached me directly and shared the details of the award and why she thought I was a great candidate. This time, the meaning of the award hit me. I was extremely flattered but to go through the process I had to fill out a very LENGTHY application the day before Thanksgiving. After having initially dropped the ball with her, I knew I couldn’t let this opportunity slip by. I sat my butt down, got clear on what I wanted to share and poured my heart and soul into it the entire application.
I didn’t give it another thought until I was contacted recently and told that I had in fact won the award of Connecticut SBA’s Women in Business Champion of the Year. I’ll receive it officially on June 3rd with my parents and husband by my side. Beyond feeling honored, it’s an opportunity to get some local media coverage and receive more opportunities to speak.
When I think back over the various “obstacles” that could have prevented me from getting this award (being tired the night of the panel discussion, to forgetting to return an important call, to being overwhelmed by the length and scope of the application) I realize that at each moment I had a choice to make. Was I going to show up or not? Was I going to do it or was I going to make an excuse?
This experience was a huge wake-up call for me and reminder to show up fully and not make excuses. You just never know where the small moments will lead.
Think for yourself about those times you didn’t want to go somewhere but you did and who was that gem of a person you met and where did it lead? Please share your stories. I’d love to hear them.
Tags: Connecticut SBA's Women in Business Champion of the Year award, Kim DeYoung
