Thursday, April 20, 2006
Ode to a Do-Over
The sound of a large clank took me back to the playgrounds of my childhood.
Maybe you said it after you tried to make a basket but missed, catch a ball only too see it fall through your hands, or jump rope when you forgot to jump but I’m betting that at some point of your life, you’ve said the words, “I want a do-over.”
These were powerful words. A do-over was about getting a second chance to try to do something that had gone horribly wrong. Maybe this was nod to the fact that children’s bodies are growing and a sudden lapse of coordination was understandable. Whatever it was, it was accepted that as long as you didn’t play the card too often, a do-over was an important part of the deck.
Recently, on my way to a speaking engagement, I realized that my car was running low on gas. While filling up, I decided to take a peak at my tires to see if the endless construction in Palm Beach County had left any metallic souvenirs inside my tread. I smiled as I gave myself a mental high-five, celebrating the undisturbed forest of rubber beneath my car. After seeing that my tires were intact, I stood up and realized that my tank was now full. Thanks to the magic of pay-at-the-pump, I was free to go. I jumped into my car, thinking about my upcoming talk. Then, as you might have guessed, I heard the clank.
I had forgotten to take the hose out of my car.
I could tell my cheeks were turning red even as the blood was running out of my head. I put my car into reverse and pulled back slowly to ground zero of my automotive amnesia.
While gasoline was not spouting up like a geyser of shame, I could tell the pump had suffered a TKO. You’d be surprised at how much damage a tugged hose can do to a metal housing. The only pot of gold at the end of this rainbow of forgetfulness was the fact that my car wasn’t damaged.
I soon found myself face to face with the owner of the station.
“This happens a lot,” he said shaking his head. “Four times this past weekend.”
He went on to explain that my insurance should cover the damage to the pump. He also told me that normally this kind of accident happens to older people.
Perhaps this was a nice way of telling me that I’d just had a senior moment, 30+ years too soon.
Later I found myself having to answer the question, “What happened?” from my insurance agent.
Surprisingly, the words came easily to me.
“I’m just a total idiot,” I said calmly.
While I’m sure in some part of her cubicle, a light was going on, signally the end of my accident free rates, I thought there was some sympathy in her voice as she asked, “Were there any injuries?”
“Only to my pride,” I answered.
When was the last time you did something without thinking? When was the last time you did something without thinking where a mistake could be costly? How many of those mistakes could have been prevented if you had kept your mind in the moment instead of thinking too far ahead?
Because remember, adults rarely get a chance to ask for a do-over.
Maybe you said it after you tried to make a basket but missed, catch a ball only too see it fall through your hands, or jump rope when you forgot to jump but I’m betting that at some point of your life, you’ve said the words, “I want a do-over.”
These were powerful words. A do-over was about getting a second chance to try to do something that had gone horribly wrong. Maybe this was nod to the fact that children’s bodies are growing and a sudden lapse of coordination was understandable. Whatever it was, it was accepted that as long as you didn’t play the card too often, a do-over was an important part of the deck.
Recently, on my way to a speaking engagement, I realized that my car was running low on gas. While filling up, I decided to take a peak at my tires to see if the endless construction in Palm Beach County had left any metallic souvenirs inside my tread. I smiled as I gave myself a mental high-five, celebrating the undisturbed forest of rubber beneath my car. After seeing that my tires were intact, I stood up and realized that my tank was now full. Thanks to the magic of pay-at-the-pump, I was free to go. I jumped into my car, thinking about my upcoming talk. Then, as you might have guessed, I heard the clank.
I had forgotten to take the hose out of my car.
I could tell my cheeks were turning red even as the blood was running out of my head. I put my car into reverse and pulled back slowly to ground zero of my automotive amnesia.
While gasoline was not spouting up like a geyser of shame, I could tell the pump had suffered a TKO. You’d be surprised at how much damage a tugged hose can do to a metal housing. The only pot of gold at the end of this rainbow of forgetfulness was the fact that my car wasn’t damaged.
I soon found myself face to face with the owner of the station.
“This happens a lot,” he said shaking his head. “Four times this past weekend.”
He went on to explain that my insurance should cover the damage to the pump. He also told me that normally this kind of accident happens to older people.
Perhaps this was a nice way of telling me that I’d just had a senior moment, 30+ years too soon.
Later I found myself having to answer the question, “What happened?” from my insurance agent.
Surprisingly, the words came easily to me.
“I’m just a total idiot,” I said calmly.
While I’m sure in some part of her cubicle, a light was going on, signally the end of my accident free rates, I thought there was some sympathy in her voice as she asked, “Were there any injuries?”
“Only to my pride,” I answered.
When was the last time you did something without thinking? When was the last time you did something without thinking where a mistake could be costly? How many of those mistakes could have been prevented if you had kept your mind in the moment instead of thinking too far ahead?
Because remember, adults rarely get a chance to ask for a do-over.
# posted by tvguy @ 10:55 AM
Sunday, April 09, 2006
If Katie can, then so can you!
There's been a lot of talk this week about Katie Couric's move from The Today Show to the CBS Evening News. The things I take away from this is that Ms. Couric believes in herself.
How many of us have thought about getting a new job or a promotion but could not see ourselves in the job. Thus, we eliminate ourselves from contention. Remember, other than doing some fill-in duty for Tom Brokaw, Ms. Couric's experience comes from hosting The Today Show, which is very different than anchoring the evening news. (I'm guessing CBS didn't hire her to bring pet grooming segments to the evening news.)
Despite what might be seen as a limitation, Ms. Couric believes she not only has the chops to solo anchor a national newscast but that she should also be its Managing Editor (the final word on content). I'm sure that, as with any job, there will be a learning curve for Ms. Couric in her new position.
The next time you find yourself at a career crossroads, remember Katie. Your next job may depend more on what you think you can do, rather than what you've done in the past. After that, it's up to you to show that you belong.
How many of us have thought about getting a new job or a promotion but could not see ourselves in the job. Thus, we eliminate ourselves from contention. Remember, other than doing some fill-in duty for Tom Brokaw, Ms. Couric's experience comes from hosting The Today Show, which is very different than anchoring the evening news. (I'm guessing CBS didn't hire her to bring pet grooming segments to the evening news.)
Despite what might be seen as a limitation, Ms. Couric believes she not only has the chops to solo anchor a national newscast but that she should also be its Managing Editor (the final word on content). I'm sure that, as with any job, there will be a learning curve for Ms. Couric in her new position.
The next time you find yourself at a career crossroads, remember Katie. Your next job may depend more on what you think you can do, rather than what you've done in the past. After that, it's up to you to show that you belong.
# posted by tvguy @ 4:14 PM
