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Success doesn't come to those who wait for it

Local business columnist ponders the concept of waiting, and why it's not a good thing
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Cheryl Clark for InnisfilToday

I was attending a convention that was to be like none other I had ever attended.  The attendees were to be motivated, determined, driven self-starters who were ready to soar to the next level.  They were promised business growth tools and motivation.  They were promised connections and collaborations that would ensure their success.  

As the attendees started to arrive, the room was loud with the hum of chatter.  Hugs and laughter were plentiful; I could see exchanges of cards and numbers.  

As the host gathered everyone into the room where the speakers were set to present, the chatter ended and everyone found a seat and were ‘ready’ to listen.  

I was introduced. 

I walked up and graciously thanked the host for the introduction, proceeded to take the microphone into my hand and stood in front of the crowd.  I stood.  I did not utter a word into that microphone once I had it in my hand.  I stood.  I looked around that room and made eye contact with several guests in the seats in front of me and … I stood.  

After a few minutes of silence, you could feel some tension rising, the energy of the room was changing.  You could see some start to look at one another with a question in their eyes and on their mind as to what was I doing merely ‘standing’ in front of them not saying one single word.  

As a few more moments went by, many started shifting in their seats.  Was I making them uncomfortable?  A few started leaning in to whisper to one another – I presume it may have been about me not yet speaking.  

Finally – I spoke.  My words were: “Why do we wait?  Think about it.  We wait for the phone to ring.  We wait for that email.  We wait for someone to reach out and say I need what you offer.  We wait for that team member to engage.  We wait for this person to sign the documents.  We wait.  We sit, we stare, we get anxious, we lean in and maybe whisper to others, but we wait.” 

Everyone in that room came with the expectation of learning something.  Everyone in that room came anticipating leaving with something that would drive them forward in the coming weeks, and months.  Everyone in that room came wanting something from it and everyone in that room was willing to just sit and wait for it to happen.

Not one of those in attendance rose to the occasion and stood up and said “Hey Cheryl – you okay we are ready!”, or “Hey Cheryl – what is going on?”, or “Hey Cheryl – I am here to listen and learn, get started!”

You may be reading this saying ‘wow, harsh’ and maybe so.  I promise you, I did deliver on the rest of my time with them and had some great reviews in the following days and months of them implementing what was shared, but every one of them, EVERY.ONE.OF.THEM, recognized the lesson they were taught of how they are just waiting.  Waiting for their success to come to them, waiting for that opportunity, waiting for that big moment.  Waiting… 

I encourage you all to stop waiting.  Stand up, take the microphone, and do not just wait. 

Cheryl Clark is a published author, a speaker, a facilitator and an entrepreneur and co-founder of Embrace and Become networking group in Innisfil. Her weekly columns give guidance, advice and tips to small business owners and entrepreneurs.