A few months ago, as I was driving home after a long day full of interesting business coaching sessions, I noticed something up ahead that really mad every alarm in my body fire up. The sight drove out a memory inside me. This was not just any memory it was a notion that had been taunting me for a full year.
You know the feeling right? There’s something that you know you should be doing, and yet when the opportune moment comes along, you neglect to take action.
Well, that moment had passed me by a few times during this last year, and this time something was different. Finally, I was ready. Finally, I saw the moment, recognized it, and acted upon it.
A year ago, when I had just completed my NLP, hypnosis and time line therapy training, I remember how full of hope and good will I was. One of the last things our trainer had pleaded with us, was that we use our new skill-set to aid those in real need. Three days later, while sitting at a café table with someone dear to me, we were approached by an older woman, wanting to sell me a rose. I categorically declined the transaction, and immediately after she left us, I felt guilty. She looked homeless. Did I betray the confidence of my trainer?
But, this particular day, things changed inside me. I had been reading a lot about Fish! Philosophy and I was engaged with a new business client that really felt enthused about working together with me. The next day I was to do a power-speak for a team of 25 people, in order for them to regain the motivation as individuals and as a team. My decisions were to talk about taking charge of your own mind and results, to be at cause in your own life rather than living at the effect of external factors, and to acknowledge that it’s ok not to be satisfied with your job, as long as you still remember to choose your own attitude towards DOING your job.
So, as I was going through my two-hour content and driving along, my doubt started to kick in. I started thinking if I was really living my own words, and as this thought hit me, this thing up ahead caught my attention. Immediately upon noticing the 10 year-old BMW my logical response was to keep driving. I had a lot of stuff to do, and needed to prepare my content for the benefit of 25 other people. Someone else could pull over and help the two persons waving at cars passing by.
“Hell no.” I overruled my initial response and lifted my foot from the gas. “These guys might rob me, and they might be in real need of help” I pulled up 10 meters in front of them, and one of the guys came running towards my car as I got out. “Oh shit, he’s gonna rob me,” I thought to myself. I went towards him not knowing what to expect. I have helped people out before for no reason other than helping them, but this situation was a bit out of the ordinary for me. This time I had stepped out of my way to do it.
The man, one head shorter than me, with a very strong build, spoke sadly, almost as if he was crying. “Can you help me out? Please Mister?” he said in the most interesting Eastern European accent I have yet to hear. Of course, since he hadn’t knocked me over, I replied that I had stopped to help, and asked what I could do for them. The other guy was approaching.
“Well, you see, we’re on our way home, from Copenhagen, and our car has run out of gas. Can you please help us?”
“Sure thing,” I said… and asked him in what way he would like me to help him. “Well, we are out of cash, and I was wondering if you could spare some. I’ll give you this ring, it’s solid gold!”
Of course, at this point there was not a shred of doubt in my logical mind – these guys were pulling this trick on every last guy or girl that would stop their car for them. But, I had initially made up my mind to stop and help. So, as we stood there, I asked him what other options he could think of, and we didn’t really come up with any. In the end, I just looked at him, and smiled… “I have one paper note in my wallet, and I am going to give it to you. I say this out a good intention, as I tell you that I am not absolutely sure if your need is real… But I guess you really do need the money. Will you promise me to go straight to the gas station instead of stopping more people?”
He said yes, I gave him my note and I let him keep the ring. We smiled and shook hands, and I took off.
In my rear view mirror, I noticed them waving in another driver. Still, I felt GREAT for deciding to step out of my way and see what I could do to help someone, instead of just walking by, acting as if I never heard the cry. So, as I was feeling that great feeling, I thought to myself: “ They didn’t have enough gas to get the car to the next gas station, and that could be the reason that they are still pulling people over.”
Oh yeah, I used this story in my power-speak the next day. I prefer using real stories to illustrate important issues. I prefer taking action, and to make it a great day today.
