Thursday, January 24, 2008

Goodness

I've been in a slump lately. Working too hard, too long, feeling in a rut, (especially a training rut) dwelling on everything I think I don't do well, which let me assure you, does wonders for the self-esteem.

This morning on the way to spin at 5:45 a.m., I prayed my little prayer: God, please just let ONE good thing happen today (I meant of course, to me).

Like a bolt of lightning, while sitting at the stoplight, I thought: Jeanne, you are thinking about your life entirely backwards! Remember George Costanza's "do-the-opposite-day"?? Indeed I did. Instead of wishing feverently for something good to happen to me, I decided I would concentrate today on making sure something good happened to everyone else!!

Bloody brilliant.

That was at 5:45 a.m.

Here's the progress report:

1. I sent an e-mail to a colleague, someone I supervise, saying what a terrific job they were doing. I NEVER do this. NEVER. I don't know why. Probably jealousy.

2. Then a reporter came into my office late in the day to tell me some news about reaction to a blog item she'd posted, that I'd encouraged her to post, that resulted in an organization contacting her for an interview—an organization that had previously dissed her. It was a sort of edgy post, so it could have gone either way. I was happy for her, but happier that I'd had a hand in it, even if no one would ever know.

3. Then I had a big fight with someone else about something stupid. Hey, I'm no Mother Theresa.

3. I can see little signs of my influence throughout the organization. I get sought out as a listening board. Like people think I know stuff. (It's an age thing.) My help is behind the scenes, and no one but the person I've helped will ever know.

So, three good things. Plenty of room for improvement.

And, the place I should have started this post was back in spin class, where (because, remember, I am NO LONGER WORRYING (which by the way, is going quite well)), I talked to Mr. Spin Instructor today, out loud, without concern that I'd say the wrong thing.

We're not engaged yet, but it could be the start of a beautiful friendship.

Bonus: I got to see my idol, Richard Thompson, at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium last night, resulting in a 12:30 bedtime. Oy.



Worth. Every. Damn. Minute.

8 comments:

21stCenturyMom said...

You've seen Richard Thomspon twice??!!! I'm so jealous.

Good job on the day and GREAT job on the not worrying.

Mark said...

Fantastic. an outward focus always does the trick for me too (when I remember to do it, that is). :)

Rich said...

What the? Are you expanding your circle of influence already?

Susan said...

Whatta day, I'd say!

LBTEPA said...

Well done mate! So hard to wrench yourself out of a thought-rut - and so rewarding!

Sunshine said...

Strong Woman, coming into your own! Delightful to read about your good day.

David said...

I think you're on to something there our dear sweet Jeanne.
When it's about somebody else it's actually all about you.

Anonymous said...

oh you are sooooo rizzo! badass with a good heart. oh, and not knocked up by kinicke after all. whoo and hoo!