It was almost four years ago when I met Cecilia for the first time. I was part of a coaching and training program where Cecilia was one of the three people who were assigned to me for coaching. The program was set to last seven months and included four trips to New York.
By the way, did you realize that I am back to blogging again? Yes Jim, I am back...
Now back to Cecilia.
During the seven months I spent working with Cecilia, I developed a friendship with her that is still there after four years. While I was trying my best to help her, she ended up being the one who inspired me to become a better person and a stronger leader.
A few weeks ago, while speaking to her on the phone, she mentioned to me that her business was thriving and that she was dealing better with life's challenges. She was in a very good mood and I was happy for her and her business. What she went on to tell with me during that conversation really surprised me; she told me that my coaching had impacted her life for the better. You see, during our seven month long coaching sessions, we had a phone call scheduled for every Monday at 5pm. Even to this day I can remember her telling me every time, “Patrick you are awesome." Do you know why? Well, its because every Monday at 4:59pm, her phone rang. It was me calling her and I was never late. What she doesn’t know is that I had set an alarm for 4:55pm to remind me about the call.
Nevertheless, what mattered to her was that I was never late. It is something that inspired her so much that she started to implement it in her life and business. For me, it was something simple, but which had a huge impact in Cecilia’s life.
Now, Cecilia tells me, even her children are aware of time management. They are never late. Cecilia’s clients know her as a business woman who always delivers on time and for this they respect her. Cecilia has raised her standards so high that everybody around her has to conform to her way of working and doing things. How cool is that?
I almost had tears in my eyes while listening to Cecilia share all of this with me. You have no idea what a positive impact an encouraging word can have on someone; and on this day, I was the someone that Cecilia's words positively impacted. I will admit that sometimes I doubt myself and have second thoughts about things; in fact, there are things in the past for which I feel guilty but, when someone tells me the kind of words that Cecilia told me, it is like a fuel of new energy. I can go on for one more day. That is what it takes. Press on one more day.
Thank you Cecilia.
Moral of the story? Do you want me to have a good impact on your kids? Just set your alarm for 4:55pm and I will give you a call.
Always a pleasure
Patrick
The Journeyman.
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