There are 7 words that I’m getting really tired of hearing, which is:
“Why are you doing Telesummit Refresh live?”
In other words, why am I crazy/stupid/dumb enough to plan an in person event in a hotel conference room when so many are having a hard time filling their events due to the economy/terrorism/elections/other-events/blah/bleh/you-name-it.
I heard this from my dear ol’ mom (God bless her), one of my Virtual Event Managers, one of my power affiliates, even from one of my mentors. I know each mean well. I do. They don’t want to see me NOT succeed.
I get that.
But they also don’t understand why deep down, I have to do this.
Failing is not what I fear.
It’s living with regret that scares me the most.
I can think of all the things that have happened recently that I “wished” I did, for example:
- When I went to England for a conference in 2006, there was this cute guy who was on my flight. I noticed him when we were in Toronto while we were waiting to board. He would steal glances in my direction and as soon as I looked, he’d look somewhere else. To think, if I had just given him a smile, that would’ve been the invitation he needed to talk to me. I regret not opening the door.
- Earlier this year, I attended a wealth building seminar with my mom. The presenter asked for a volunteer. None of the attendees had any idea what we were volunteering for, but I was ready to run to the front. My mom touched me and said no. Another lady beat me and she was given $100 for being so daring. I regret not following my feet.
- Not taking the swim test at the indoor swimming pool so I could jump off the diving board into the deep end. I stood at the side, scared of the deep water below and told the life guard that I’d try later. I never did. I regret not jumping off.
I don’t live with alot of regrets, but the ones I do have, they just eat me up inside. I’m constantly reminded of what I didn’t do and forever wondering what would’ve happened had I done it.
It’s better to have tried and failed, then not to have tried at all.
Believe me – I’m not hosting an in-person event to fail. That would be an expensive failure. I’m going into this to succeed. To go beyond my expectations. To prove something to myself.
To live regret-free.
I know – hosting an event shouldn’t be about me. I should be answering the question:
“What’s in it for you?”
Right? Of course.
However, it’s important that I share why I’m doing this. That if you see my cards on the table, you’ll feel better about putting yours out there. That if you decide to invest in yourself by attending Telesummit Refresh, you’ll know that I’ll take your investment seriously.
That because I’m putting everything on the line – and sharing it publicly – that that should release your own apprehensions about coming to Atlanta in November.
So, this post is all about the many reasons why I’m hosting Telesummit Refresh. Yes, it is about me. But in my post tomorrow, I’ll share with you why you must attend Telesummit Refresh in November. At the end of the day, it is about you.
I agree, life is too short to regret and it is our little self that plays small with the supportive voice of everyone else who dances to the same tune.
It takes chutzpah to be bold, brave and boundless.
Let's make it a mantra for Women In Business to support each other in taking and making those type of moves, we owe each other that.
Big difference between dwelling on past and recognizing when your choice would have served you better in another direction.
Funny thing about that quieter voice, it is quieter because you have not given it the respect, response and relief if offers you.
Leesa, remember when you were incorporating fitness into your daily life? this is same thing, your inner voice grows stronger just like your muscles, with regular use 😉
Love how you wrap me in using an analogy I'm familiar with – fitness. You're awesome, Michele.
I love that both you and Carol have talked about that inner voice. We need to acknowledge and respect it.
I don't dwell on events that I may have missed. I've learned not to waste energy thinking about things that have passed. I believe that following up on situations after the fact is often benefical and leds to inner healing. Too, I believe that the small voice that's usually the one that speaks to you first is your spiritual advisor. Learning to listen to that personal advisor is a good practice to remember. I hope that your event goes well. I wish that I could attend, but I won't be able to this time. Carol
I love what you said about listening to the spiritual adviser (hmmm…wonder why advisor is corrected by my browser, but not adviser?). We can't do it alone and that inner voice helps give us pointers.
You're speaking what's in my heart. I don't regret failed attempts; it's the missed opportunities that stick with me.
But the opportunities I've said YES to (even when the voice of my mother was whispering “no”) — those stick around, too. And they often have been a catalyst for the richest growth and learning.
Like the time I set aside my fear of heights and jumped off a bridge with a bungee cord around my ankles — and discovered that I had it in me to jump forward with my arms open wide, instead of being dragged or pushed reluctantly into whatever's next.
So I salute you for jumping forward with your arms open wide into your live event. Cowabunga, girl!
Kathy, hmmm…why does your name seem familiar? Not sure why, but it'll come to me.
Missed opportunities…yes, I like that phrase. And, choosing to miss those opportunities…yes, that's where regret comes from.
Leaping forward with arms wide open is exactly what we need to do. Just like you did with bungee jumping, we need to move forward without being pushed or dragged into it.
Thank you for your kind words and your encouraging spirit. I so appreciate you.
Wow! Such a great blog – and so true. I was told earlier this year, “Fortune favors the bold.” You are living proof of that.
Regret does eat you up inside, and I am working through a LOT of regrets that I have experienced over the years in my life and my business. I lost a close friend this month and she was one to step out in faith and not listen to the naysayers. I am working to live the same way.
Go for it, Leesa!! Live BOLDLY and be an excellent example for all of us!
Thanks Clarissa and I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of your friend. I trust that her bold energy now flows through you. You must carry her torch onward. Be bold Clarissa, just as you're encouraging me to be.
Girl you do it! You know I'm rooting for you. Although I do wish I had found out about this a lot sooner so I could come. Oh well. If you need help spreading the word or anything let me know.
Thanks DeAnna. And to think, this event is happening right in your backyard. Next year, k?