Challenge 9: Keep Coaching Calls within Time Range

January 21, 2010

I have to say, I think both Vaughn and I had a wonderful day yesterday. It was lazy and rainy and I definitely spoiled him (like he deserved). We watched TV, took the dog out together, shopped a little, ATE PIZZA (most importantly) and then went to see Cirque Du Soliel's "Ova" at night. Cirque Du Soliel is just so incredible. I've seen 2 other shows, but there was something about this one that just had me in awe when I left. It might have been because we were pretty close to the stage and I could see everything (the last time I went I didn't bring my glasses, so I missed a ton). At one point in the show, there were 6 girls who came out with big kiwi looking props. They flipped them around on their feet, tossed them in the air and caught them with their feet, passed them back and forth the each others feet and then they did the same thing with each other. It's hard to describe, but if you have the chance to see a show, definitely go.

I'm really glad I chose the challenge I did yesterday. No complaining. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be and I think the perfect challenge for a birthday day. I realized that the reason I usually say what I'm feeling (pain, tired, not good, etc) is twofold; 1) to give some context as to why I might not be peppy or might not be in the highest of spirits; and 2) the want to have someone take care of me. But I think what I'm realizing is that saying what I'm feeling doesn't always give context, and it's not a good habit to be in to want to be taken care of all the time (sometimes...yes). Both ways I look at it, it's making someone else responsible for how I'm feeling. For example, if I had told Vaughn yesterday that I was in pain, it would have changed the dynamic of his birthday. Instead of me pampering him and him being able to receive that care, he might have been trying to make sure I'm ok and not letting me do stuff for him. It allowed him to have exactly the kind of day he wanted to have, for him, not having to worry about me. And that felt a million times better than any communication about how I was feeling. And in the end, I still was able to do everything for him I wanted to do. I just got through it, put on a smile, and I feel so good about it. The trick is keeping it up. Practice.

So today the challenge is to keep all my calls within their budgeted time. I haven't been very good with this lately, sometimes going over 5 minutes, sometimes up to 15. Yikes! But today, I have four client calls back to back, so I literally can't go over on my times. It'll be a good day to start practicing how to shift the call in a timely manner.

Challenge: Keep coaching calls within time range

9 down. 356 to go.