Coaching Corner: Push it...or not!
By Marilou Butcher Roth, Master Coach
This is a story -- a short story about a shot. A shot that has been long awaited in our COVID world -- the vaccine! Please do not be insulted by my words if obtaining this vaccine is not on your to do list -- that is up to you. This story, even though it is about the vaccine, is truly rooted in the idea of pushing to make something happen.
Long, long ago (not really, but it feels that way), the word came out that the COVID vaccine would be available soon (whatever that means). Since we, as possibly you as well, are curtailing your activities due to the virus, the news of a vaccine brought joy to our home. Visions of family parties, dinner with friends and hugs, lots of hugs, floated through our minds. Oh yes, we can do this! We just need the vaccine!
My husband and I are both 66 and, as of Feb. 8, we were eligible to receive the vaccine the world awaited. As I diligently and efficiently enrolled us, I also called ahead thinking (foolishly), that we could set an appointment for our upcoming eligible date. Oh, how silly! Try as I might, these appointments could not be found!
Here is where the pushing comes in. Each morning, one of the first items on my list was to go through the variety of locations who were giving the vaccines to see if someone -- anyone -- would give me an appointment. I was determined! And, as my determination grew, I noticed I was becoming angry that it was this stinking hard to do something that I deemed good for myself. Urgh! This continued for two weeks!
All the while, there was this little voice that I continued to hear, and continued to ignore, telling me just to relax. Relax! No way! I wanted an appointment! Then finally, probably out of sheer frustration, I stopped. Oh, I would look occasionally, certainly not with the gusto of previous days. As I put my attention elsewhere, I received a text from my daughter-in-law’s mother, telling me to call a certain number. One of her friends had gotten through and found an appointment at this location. I, quite frankly, didn’t hold out too much hope for this option, as I had already been on their website. Putting my doubts aside, I called. They answered! What??? This was last Friday and we both got scheduled for this past Tuesday. It could not have been easier!
Now you can see the true gist of this story. The more I pushed, the further away my desired outcome alluded me. Once I finally relaxed, what I wanted showed up so easily. As I look back on my self-inflicted drama, I realize that the only push I want to encounter is that vaccine needle going into my arm! Whew!
This week think about places where you are pushing. Can you relax? What wants to happen is a great question, rather than what has to happen. Ahh!
Marilou Butcher Roth is the owner of The MBR Group, a coaching and training company working primarily with REALTORS who have a desire to work and live from a more inspired place. She is also the Broker/Owner of Group REALTORS in Cincinnati. Marilou is a member of the Ohio REALTORS Board of Directors and past chairman of the organization’s Communications Committee. Feel free to contact Marilou to see if coaching is right for you.
