On Tuesday I presented for a group of managers in Edina, MN, on strategies for peak performance. At one point, I addressed a common misconception about mental toughness, that it’s not about putting your head down, plowing through everything and being an emotionless robot. It’s more about awareness of your emotions, recognizing when they don’t serve you and finding ways to move forward.
I brought up losing both of my parents in the last 2.5 years and how challenging it has been for me personally.
Afterwards, I was signing books and chatting with people when an older gentleman approached me. With his white hair and glasses, he looked like Colonel Sanders, sans the bucket of fried chicken.
He put his hand on my shoulder and said, “I’m proud of you.”
At first it didn’t really register what he was saying. I just looked at him, slightly puzzled.
In his grandfatherly way, he continued:
“You obviously love what you do and you’re good at it. I’m sure with your parents being gone, you probably miss hearing someone say that they’re proud of you. So, I want you to know that I am…and I’m sure they are too.”
It was one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me after a speaking engagement. Colonel Sanders almost made me cry 🙂
Never underestimate the power of a simple comment or interaction and how it can make someone’s day.
Keep Outperforming,
