Monday, March 11, 2013

Ready, Set, Grace


I hate being a newbie…at anything. This is probably because I’m slightly controlling and slightly know-it-all. Hey now, you have your own areas for improvement too! When I’m learning something new it makes me vulnerable and that is something I despise more than anything else. And that’s exactly how I found myself last week.

About a month ago, I decided to see what all this Crossfit workout nonsense was all about. I went to a free intro class (classic puppy dog close!) and nearly died. Yes, the free intro class nearly killed me. While I wanted to tell the instructor to go burpee himself, I decided it was time to get back into a fitness routine because let’s face it, my ass isn’t going to lift itself to new bikini heights without a little help and dedication on my part.

So my sweaty journey began. For starters, here is what I love about the program. I had to take four weeks of “foundations” before I could take any of the “real” Crossfit classes. Essentially, I had to train for training. How well are you preparing yourself to dive into something new? How are you training yourself to tackle your next big project, your next big step, and your next big success?

The foundations were great. I learned the exercise moves, worked on my form and technique, increased my lung capacity (so I wasn’t sucking wind after just a few minutes!), and made a few fellow newbie friends. And then it was time, time to box-jump myself into the “real” classes.

Let’s set the scene: Wednesday evening. 6pm. I walk into the once welcoming gym, now transformed into an intimidating atmosphere by thirteen all-muscle, no-jiggle, I could do this in my sleep Crossfitters, none of whom were first timers. UGH! I’m not usually timid or intimidated, but that night, I was both. I was vulnerable. I was miserable.

During the warm-up: “Everyone, this is Stephanie’s first class!” The spotlight shined in my eyes and I shyly smiled. Double UGH!

Work out time: It’s a swarm of bees! Everyone is swirling around me, grabbing weights and bars and kettle bells, oh my! And I’m standing there struck with a chord of loneliness and panic. All of the lighter barbells are taken, all of the workspaces are taken, all of my confidence – taken.

“Would you like to work in with me?” I turned to see a small, very-fit, blonde smiling at me. It was definitely not her first Crossfit rodeo.

“Yes! Thank you.” The panic washed away and I got to moving my butt like a busy bee to get set up and ready. Because this was happening, whether I liked it or not. It was go-time!

“Hi, I’m Stephanie.” I reached my hand out and introduced myself to the girl who had offered to work with me.

“I’m Grace.” She replied.

Let that sink in. 
Ironic? Not at all. Serendipitous? I think so.

My favorite definition of grace: courteous goodwill.

Let these sink in:
• How are you extending courteous goodwill?
• How are you making others feel welcome?
• How are you lending your expertise to a newbie?
• How are you creating a state of grace?

Thank Grace for reminding me that everyone starts as a beginner and it is critical that when you are no longer the newbie, you extend your expertise, your grace, to help others in their own journey. When you help them climb to your heights, your own stock will rise in return.

You were once a beginner. You will once again be a beginner. And all it takes is a little grace to make a lasting impact.

I’m your Double-Tall, Non-Fat, No-Whip Sales Barista. How may I help you help yourself?

Stephanie Melish, one of the few, hand-selected, Gitomer-Certified Speakers is the ONLY Double-Tall, Non-Fat, No-Whip Sales Barista in the world! Stephanie trains, sells, and speaks to companies and associations all over the country. To book Stephanie for your next event, please visit www.GitomerCertified.com or contact the Michelle at Buy Gitomer via email at michelle@gitomer.com or by calling 704-333-1112.


18 comments:

  1. Well, that wasted my time....

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    1. Double like. Basically, lend a helping hand to newbies. I could have summed that up in a few sentences. Can I have my time back now?

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  2. Thank you for this great article Stephanie!

    I work with clients that get so frustrated when they can't go from new concept to expert immediately. With a smile I tell them, "You have to go through suck to get to great."

    Once they master the task, it is vitally important to remind them that not everyone they come in contact with is at their skill level and they need to be patient, understanding and lend a hand to help others grow.

    Your article is a great reminder to look around and help the newbie! :)

    Rick

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  3. A waste of time? Are you kidding? I work in direct sales and Stephanie's message could not be more spot on in terms of addressing leadership skills. If your in sales, management or leadership in any field, I recommend you read the article again. Remember that you too were once a beginner and decide today to exude GRACE to all people around you from family to friends to coworkers to strangers. You will be a better person for it.

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    1. are you still with the program there more... you baited the hook

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  4. S; yeah, everyone remembers their first crossfit workout, and there's a reason for that. They're hard. It's cool to hear about your experience with Grace at your gym. I've found that sentiment in lots of crossfit gyms. Nothing like shared struggle to bring folks together. Your words on being an encouragement to newbies is spot on. Folks usually (ok, always) remember how you make them feel. Those feelings can radically define a situation, or even a place; like the gym.

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  5. Nice article. We forget sometime that we are continually learning and re-learning and each time requires a revisiting the fundamentals.

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  6. I do not need terms like ass and butt to convey a message to professionals

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  7. I thought it was clever and tied the two stories together that made sense, even to a beginner. I've been in sales for over 37 years when I first started out selling myself to get a job as a dishwasher. Today I run a very successful remodeling company and every week I need to sell my workmanship to somebody new. I thought it was "spot on Stephanie", and in my line of work, Grace is a very important aspect of my jobs. I really enjoy your articles! Keep up the good work!

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  8. Stephanie, great job threading the metaphor into a salient lesson. it was a vente mocha frapaccino to me!

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  9. I can relate to your article as a newbie and now as the experienced person on the job ...after reading your article I had to take a step back an examine my " grace" ful acts of kindness ......but how do you motivate a person that doesn't care about improving and not self motivated ?

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  10. @Mary N - Some people appear unmotivated but are just simply motivated in a different way than you are. Engage in a quality conversation with them to uncover what their desires are and how they plan to accomplish them. Then identify how you can help them achieve it. Motivation will follow.

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  11. Stephanie, I always enjoy your articles -- and I think this one is one of your BEST! Keep up the great work!

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  12. As a B2B company, we run into newbies within our customer accounts all the time. The recently promoted clerk that is now purchasing, or the warehouse person, now in charge of tracking shipments. These are possibly the future experts within their company, and to have an opportunity to teach/mentor them when they are first starting is HUGE toward building long term loyal business relationships!! Big Big Opportunity!!!

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  13. Refreshing ,most of the time is me me me,kindness comes from the hart , or else it is fake, so if you do not mean it do not do it.

    I know one thing what you reap is what you sow , what goes around , comes around.


    So for you out there , who are kind of hart , one day you will reap what you sow , and that also counts for persons who just think of themselfs .

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    Replies
    1. Okay, I'll start now. Homonyms, specifically Homophones. Google it.

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  14. Hey, Stephanie - I just started reading your blog and love it. I recently started with Crossfit, too, and wrote about my own experience. http://www.do-love-walk.com/post/50908834104/finding-community

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    1. Matt - Thanks for sharing! I hope you keep it up. I've been going since Mid-Feb and finally feel like I've hit a groove with it! Definitely a community, one I'm happy to be in.

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