I am coming in!

I am coming in!

I love how my two-year-old Keaton just “knows” he is welcome EVERYWHERE: take my lap for instance. As he is crawling over the arm of the chair -- oblivious of the puppy, my newborn, and the laptop - he simply announces, “Mommy, I am coming in.”

“Uh, excuse me,” is the most we ever get, as he settles himself on top of the pile.

I have grown to think this attitude could be useful in business, too.

I am all too often “shy” – in quotes because I think shyness is just fear with makeup on – and don’t make the connections I need because I am just sure that they won’t work, people aren't going to like me, I might have something in my teeth;  do I smell like spoiled milk?; is there spit up, drool, food or anything else on my shirt, jacket or pants? Etc, etc, etc.

When I was the director of sales for a start-up business a few years ago, 90 percent of my job was face-to-face or telephone sales: the dreaded cold calling. Before each in-person meeting I would find myself face-to-face with my steering wheel, trying to convince myself to just GO IN.

My self-talk went something like this:

Me: I am here. Time to go in. I am nervous.

Steering Wheel: Silent

Me: What if they don’t like it?

Steering Wheel: Silent

Me: What if they don’t like me?

Steering Wheel: Silent

Me: Why? Sales are going well; and there are no bears, snakes, or sharks in there.

Steering Wheel: Obviously!

Me: There is truly nothing legitimate to be afraid of -- at least, I have never heard of sales person being shot by a buyer. Okay, I am just going to go in and “Get ‘er done!” as my husband likes to say.

Then I would jump out of my car as quickly as I could before I had time to over-think it anymore.

With my latest business, I am trying my best to just jump in. I feel passionate about coaching and my clients. I know to my core I am doing what I am meant to be doing; so I am trying to force fear out of the equation. I maintain the perspective that my job is to do the next right thing and have faith that results will follow.  

I can sometimes feel like an intrusion on another person’s day, until I remember that running into somebody and hearing about their life is the highlight of mine. Instead, I choose to believe that most people are happier to have seen and interacted with me. Like my son, I am worthy of space, wherever that may be. I am worthy of having a job I love. I am qualified. I belong. Anyone who doesn't welcome my presence or ideas, I won’t worry about.

So my announcement to the world is:  

“I am coming in!”