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I stopped playing the waiting game

2010 February 25
by Geri

I cringe when I think of all the hours I used to spend (desperately) waiting for the phone to ring, thinking….

Am I getting the job?

Is he asking me out again?

Was the medical test negative?

Did she get my message?

Are they coming to the party?

Did they like my presentation?

Why didn’t he call me yet?

No more. When I want to talk to someone who is important to me, get the answer to a critical question or pursue an essential goal, I make the call, write the e-mail or press for a meeting.

And I don’t give up easily. It’s usually a chore getting someone’s attention in this crazy world. You’re generally not a priority unless you make yourself a priority. If I have to send a dozen e-mails to connect, I send a dozen e-mails.

And I try to do unto others as I would like them to do unto me.  I believe in returning calls, answering e-mails and respecting that most of us have something we want to sell to someone else.

I’m FOF. I don’t get flustered, frustrated, angry or sad if someone tells me to bug off, says no or won’t respond. That is, after the dozen e-mails.

I just move on.

6 Responses leave one →
  1. February 25, 2010

    I’ve learned, at 53, that much of success is just showing up on time.

  2. Duchesse permalink
    February 26, 2010

    I think many women of my era (going on 62) still dread hearing “no”- so we do not make the call. Once we trash the irrational belief that we ‘should’ get what we want, and if we don’t, we’re deficient, then we can make that call. No just means, as you said, on to something else.

  3. February 26, 2010

    Wonderful blog. Happy to have found you!

    • February 26, 2010

      Thank you Pamela. It makes me so happy when I hear that someone likes what I say. Your blog is beautiful, I want to hug your dog and I’d love to see something you’ve knit. I am a pretty obsessive knitter myself. I am adding your blog to my blog list.

      Did you see our website faboverfifty.com?

      Geri

  4. February 26, 2010

    Truer words were never spoken. We have to be able to take responsibility for the direction we intend for our lives. Just found your website and blog thanks to Joanna at A Cup of Jo,
    cheers.

    • February 26, 2010

      Hi DH Hunter,

      So glad you found us through Jo. Welcome.

      Geri

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