Hello, my Friend –
I’d like to share a story with you about one of my early lessons in finding Calmfidence®️. For one of my first jobs during college, I worked as an administrative assistant for a book publishing company that made commemorative anniversary books for non-profit organizations. I was 18 years old. I was a bit quiet and shy at this point in my life. The owner, Norman, was a gruff older man who never smiled at anyone, and everyone in the office was on edge around him. I was hired to organize customer orders into databases on the computer. Once I got the job, I found out that my duties also included something I didn’t sign up for — calling customers who owed money. It was uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing, and I struggled to muster the tenacity to pursue these payment collections over the phone.
One day, Norman lumbered out of his cluttered office in his wrinkled brown suit and made a beeline to the dusty back room where I sat at my metal desk.
“You’re costing me time and money!” he yelled. “Pick up the damn phone, and get busy collecting those payments!”
“I’m going as fast as I can sir. I… I,” I softly responded. “I’m just not sure how to demand payment from some of the people who owe the money. They’re non-profits and I feel bad that they can’t pay their bills.”
“I didn’t hire you to make friends. Make those calls now or look for another job!” Then Norman stormed off to his office, and I ran down the creaky wood floors to the dark musty bathroom, locked the door, and cried.
After I let it all out, I said to myself, “Breathe. You didn’t deserve to be yelled at like that.” I reminded myself that my teacher had told me I was a great fit for this part-time job. I calmed my body, mind, and spirit that day in the tiny bathroom of the old publishing company and walked back to my desk with my chin up. I sat back down at the computer, took a few sips of my now-cold tea, then stood up and marched into the boss’s office.
With my voice cracking a bit, I said, “You have no right to speak to me that way. It’s wrong!” Norman stared at me in disbelief for several long moments. I stared back at him and held my ground. The silence was as heavy as the cigarette smoke in the air. Then, the look on his face completely changed and he said, “I’m sorry…you are right. I should not have acted that way. Please forgive me.”
I slowly nodded my head to acknowledge his apology and walked back to my desk wondering where that courage had come from. I had half expected that I would get fired, but I was ready to accept that.
Later that afternoon a few of the older women in the office pulled me aside to say how happy they were that someone had finally stood up to the guy. After that day he was kinder and would even smile every now and then. This was my first big lesson of Calmfidence®️. When we find our calm, we are more able to stand up for ourselves and have self-respect, and in turn, we command respect from others.
Wishing you calm and confidence in finding your voice and standing your ground.
Warm regards,
Patricia
