No Medals – nothing but snow! Home is reward enough.
We woke up to a cool day – and headed out for home. It should take until about 8:30 pm to get there – and we are both anxious to sleep in a real house for a few nights at least.
I had time to reflect on what we have accomplished – and whether or not to continue offering such a service. The answer though seems so clear if I think of each person I have met – one at a time.
Many people we saw did not realize the scope or size of the Coaching Coach Tour. We left for the first leg of the trip on March 1st and arrived in Duncan BC for March 3rd – our first of many, many sessions. We attended and or spoke at 8 meetings, held one workshop and 60 coaching sessions and spoke with over 500 women.
There were no medals, no graduation ceremonies, no welcome home parties when we arrived home. Just 12 inches of snow, -23 degrees and a strong sense of knowing however small, I had accomplished something that last fall seemed like an unlikely and impossible – even unreasonable task. In my own way – I had set out to help change the success rates of women in business. It may take many years to learn if this coaching crusade had any impact at all – but in my heart – I know it already has. It has changed me.
It made me question my motives for doing what I do – and ensure that I do things for the right reasons. Before this project – there was always a reward, a party, a certificate at the end of anything hard that had to be done – and the motivation was to upgrade skills or achieve something. This time the motivation had to be about the cause – raising the success rates of women in business – or it would be ineffective. I did not want to do a smoke and mirrors tour. I wanted every woman who attended a coaching session to leave encouraged and take away at least one new idea – something she could use to make her business ‘better’.
This trip has also shown me that anything can be done. Anything. It takes courage to go against what others say. It takes stamina and determination to make something work. And it takes belief and support of a great team around you to get it done. Thank you to all the Roaring Women and men who helped out in so many ways, promoting this tour, attending the sessions, waiting longer than usual for emails to be answered, for understanding when I was too pooped to answer a call, and the gifts of chocolate, wine and good humour. You all played a big part in a truly magical event.
Thank you also to the STAPLES Business Depot Team – Allesandra especially for believing in this project
I am home. I spent a very teary moment embracing the sights and smells of the familiar. I let down my guard. I am tired. I am happy. It has been hard. It has been worth it. With a lump still in my throat, I start the bath running and grab a new book to escape into.