[2021-01-20] Impressions
My energy is returning. Yesterday, I managed to get to 6,000 steps through a few short walks, along with doing some dishes, laundry and baking—all pretty light stuff.My energy is returning. Yesterday, I managed to get to 6,000 steps through a few short walks, along with doing some dishes, laundry and baking—all pretty light stuff.
This morning, I got out for a walk with my son and, later, a stroll with my husband.This morning, I got out for a walk with my son and, later, a stroll with my husband.
This afternoon, Chris suggested another walk. He is trying to get 15,000 steps per day, a level he consistently met before I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and he held his breath for six months. It's as though the conclusion of my chemotherapy was what he was waiting for to finally exhale.This afternoon, Chris suggested another walk. He is trying to get 15,000 steps per day, a level he consistently met before I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and he held his breath for six months. It's as though the conclusion of my chemotherapy was what he was waiting for to finally exhale.
So we bundled up and set out for a brisk walk. I thought that my energy was inexhaustible but discovered, halfway through the return trip, that I do have my limits. Let's just say that it's less than 17,000 steps. Oh well, I will sleep well tonight.So we bundled up and set out for a brisk walk. I thought that my energy was inexhaustible but discovered, halfway through the return trip, that I do have my limits. Let's just say that it's less than 17,000 steps. Oh well, I will sleep well tonight.
I was happy to get back home where I could snuggle up on the couch under a warm throw. What a comfy place to reflect on my day.I was happy to get back home where I could snuggle up on the couch under a warm throw. What a comfy place to reflect on my day.
I had a few people write to me today with a similar story. They said: "You may not remember me, but our paths have crossed." They recalled my kindness, or indicated that I had impressed them in the past and even more so since writing Jenesis. I had a few people write to me today with a similar story. They said: "You may not remember me, but our paths have crossed." They recalled my kindness, or indicated that I had impressed them in the past and even more so since writing Jenesis.
It reminded me of something I've said many times when mentoring young people: every day you come to work, you're auditioning for a potential employer. I modified it in recent years to say that everyone you meet in your professional journey is a potential reference. That could be the assistant who escorts you to the room where you will be interviewed, a colleague on an interdepartmental working group, or the boss of another unit.It reminded me of something I've said many times when mentoring young people: every day you come to work, you're auditioning for a potential employer. I modified it in recent years to say that everyone you meet in your professional journey is a potential reference. That could be the assistant who escorts you to the room where you will be interviewed, a colleague on an interdepartmental working group, or the boss of another unit.
I've learned in recent years, but especially in the last six months, that the same is true of leaders—in fact, even more so. Everywhere we go, we are meeting people who are forming impressions of us. Some may work for us. Some may hear us speak. Some may simply watch us from afar. But impressions are being formed.I've learned in recent years, but especially in the last six months, that the same is true of leaders—in fact, even more so. Everywhere we go, we are meeting people who are forming impressions of us. Some may work for us. Some may hear us speak. Some may simply watch us from afar. But impressions are being formed.
We often don't know what others think of us—good or bad. But, as I've said before, there's nothing like a life-threatening illness to inspire people to reach out and say, "You may not remember me, but I always thought you were great. I wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you and wish you well."We often don't know what others think of us—good or bad. But, as I've said before, there's nothing like a life-threatening illness to inspire people to reach out and say, "You may not remember me, but I always thought you were great. I wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you and wish you well."
There's a well-known saying that we should dance like no one is watching. It would do us well to follow the lesser-known truism that we should act as though someone were watching, because someone almost always is.There's a well-known saying that we should dance like no one is watching. It would do us well to follow the lesser-known truism that we should act as though someone were watching, because someone almost always is.
