Tuesday, November 10, 2009

I've GOT to GET to I GET to

So I am a salesperson and therefore by default or requirement I read as many sales books, subscribe to as many sales blogs, attend as many seminars as possible and just in general try to immerse myself in all things motivational.  I know I am a sucker. I am moved by words more than you can even imagine. Words effect me, the way they are written in an email, a book or the way they are spoken. This leads me to something I read by Zig Ziglar, the great sales motivator, about changing our perspective by simply changing our choice of words.


Ziglar tells of a woman who had a standing engagement to visit her elderly mother in a nursing home each morning at 10am. Often people would request an appointment with her at this time and her response would be, "I can't I've GOT to go visit my mother". Well time went on and eventually her mother passed away. She called to make a hair appointment and when told she could come in at 10 she started to resite her tired old line, "Ive GOT to go visit my mother" when she realized she no longer had to do that.  This is when it occured to her she greatly wished she could GET to see her mother at their usual time just once more. Ziglar points out how changing our vernacular can change our perspective.


I thought about this alot this afternoon as my husband repeatedly asked me if I was going to take Abby to her gymnastics class or did I want him to. I decided it was my turn and I would take her. I kept thinking I've GOT to take Abby to The Little Gym before I can get home and do all the household things that need to be done. Then it occurred to me as I looked down at Abby and realized how quickly she is growing that it will only be a few short years and she isn't going to want me anywhere near her. She isn't going to let me pick out her clothes, she isn't going to want to tell me every painstaking detail of her day and how the computer programs work at school or what Sophie said to Kylie about her clothes. She isn't going to want to tell me about conversations with her teacher or what happened on The Wizards of Waverly Place this afternoon.


I now sit here at The Little Gym realizing how lucky I am that I GET to take Abby to her class. I GET to watch her flip on the uneven bars. I GET to see her walk the balance beam. I GET to talk to her, or rather, listen to her, as we drive home.  These are moments we will not get back and I feel so fortunate to have them.


Now if only I could convince myself how wonderful it is I GET to clean house and I GET to do laundry.










2 comments:

Will Shealy said...

Yeah, but once Abby gets through this, and onto the "Mom, you're embarrassing me" stage, you've got two more right on her coat tails. And by the time they get to the "go away Mom" stage, you'll be ready for a glass of wine when you want one, no diapers, and no clothes to pick up. I, for one, am jealous though. I hope to one day soon fully relate. You have a lot for which to be grateful, and three little ones for which I'm grateful. Love you sis.

Unknown said...

My point was not so much that I should take time to enjoy my moments with Abby but that we should think about how we say things and the immense power of words. How sometimes changing our perspective can be as simple as changing our vernacular. Although it is true that time passes more quickly than we imagine until we take the time to look back on how long it has been since we've seen someone or even introspectively on our birthdays.

Thanks for the feedback!