Lessons from a common cold.

Posted on November 23rd, 2010 by Robbin and currently 5 commenting.

I am in love with this photo from libby williams. She sees fall like “a cozy love affair”.

Life tossed me a curve ball this last week, in the form of a cold. A really, REALLY, REALLY bad one. I’d go into the details with all of you, but I’m still trying to get rid of it and I hear it’s best not to give attention to things you want to go away. Let’s just say entire trees were sacrificed for my want of tissues.

Trust me it was not pretty.

But this sudden “knock you on your feet kind of infection” did help me in one cool and unexpectedly, delightful way.

I remembered that what I have to DO can wait. Busy can wait.

Mostly because I am just not that important. No one is.

Years ago I got a phone call from a CEO of a fairly large corporation. He was an older guy, about to retire, and I knew in my heart of hearts his call was more social than work. We were unlikely “friends” since he was at least 30 years older than me. Anyway, it took me three whole days to get around to calling him back. Every night for three nights straight, I would climb in bed and remember {dang it} I forgot to call him back — again.

I had just been too busy that day.

When I finally called, he picked up the phone and I started apologizing immediately for my delay. Explaining of course, how busy I had been.

The phone got silent. You could have heard a pin drop.

Then said, “Are you done?”

I said, “Yes.”

He went on to say, “Robbin, I’m going to tell you something important. Everyone can be replaced. If you were to walk out your door this morning, just leave your office saying you weren’t coming back, someone would have your chair warm by nightfall.”

“Don’t ever let yourself get too busy.”

I remember trying to process what he’d just said. Sitting slowly down in my chair, smiling as I let what he’d said sink in, I made a promise to myself to always remember his words. To try and keep myself running at a pace that allows me to call back who I want, when I want. To never be too busy.

Lately we’ve been lucky. We are busy. “Crazy Happy Busy” as I call it when people ask. Maybe I should say Crazy Happy Good. Business is good on 148 River Street and we are strong and learning more and more everyday.

We have a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.

Social media has given us all a lot of new found treasures and toys. New opportunities. New ways to connect and engage with our customers. New things to study. And it’s also given us more to DO.

And even more ways to elevate our self importance in the world.

I think it helps to remember, that we can all be replaced. Someone can have your chair warm by nightfall. So don’t get caught up being too busy. Slow down. Really listen when someone asks you a question. Read a little slower. Send a hand written thank you. Be grateful for it all.

Happy Early Thanksgiving. OXOXOX. I’ll see you next week.

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