A few weeks ago, I went to the Cheesecake Factory with my sister Doris and girlfriend Trena to have a leisurely lunch. It was a beautiful day, so we asked for outdoor seating. A few moments after the host seated us, out of the corner of my eye, I see another host seat a woman adjacent to our table. She is wearing a Realtor badge. I whisper to Doris and Trena, she's a Realtor, I think I'll give her my card. Just as I am about to approach her, she receives a phone call. I lean back and continue chatting all the while keeping an eye on this woman. Well after her call ended, I walked over and said, "Excuse me but I noticed your tag and wanted to introduce myself, my name is Anita and I'm a Stager, may I give you my card"? She looks at me and says, "Yes, someone was just asking me for a Stager and I don't know any". We exchange cards, moments later, her party arrived and we all enjoy our lunches.
I put her card in my purse, without paying much attention to who she was. Trust me when I tell you, earlier in life, walking up to someone cold and introducing myself was not been something I would attempt. However, I am quickly learning that you can choose your fate and alter the course of your life by merely choosing to be bold and stepping out of your comfort zone!
Something about the card haunted me. I looked at it several times before attempting to call. I even lost it amongst the abyss I call a desk, for a few days! When I finally found it, I called her three times receiving voicemail each time, on the fourth try I decided to leave a message. I said, "Hello Ms. Sunshine (pseudonym), we met a few weeks ago, I'm the Stager from the Cheesecake factory. I would like to drop off marketing materials for you to review. Please call to let me know if this is okay." I don't know about the rest of you but I no longer risk handing a parcel of my materials to just anyone. Their destiny may be the circle file as soon as you or I leave the building. Currently, no one can afford to allow that to happen. It's bad for the environment, not to mention our pocketbooks!
Two days later, my phone rang. It was the agent calling she said, "Hello Anita, this is Mary Sunshine we met at the Cheesecake Factory, feel free to drop off your materials. I probably will not be in the office when you come. We are merging three offices and I'm extremely busy. If you leave them in a package addressed to me I will get them." I said, "Thank you, Ms. Sunshine I'll do that" and we hung up.
A couple of days later while assembling the materials and handwriting a card, to thank her for allowing me to court the firm. I asked my husband, Carl to review my note. I believe four eyes are better than two are. Actually, in our case that would mean eight eyes are greater than four, because we both wear glasses! As he suggested items I should edit he asked, "What is her title?" I looked at him with furrowed brow and said, "I don't know, let me look at the card." I ruffled through the abyss, find the card and blurt out, "Oh my God, she is a Regional Vice President"!
The old Anita would have missed an excellent opportunity, as she would not risk rejection. So to all of us who sometimes feel shy and awkward because the voice in our head is asking, "What if you're rejected?" I am finally starting to say, "Be quiet, you don't know what you're talking about". Then I walk right up and say, "Hi, I'm Anita and I'm a Stager!"
As of this post, nothing has happened regarding our chance encounter, but this may be my big break! Wish me luck! To be continued.
Anita
Comments(24)