What to Do When Something Bad Happens

by | Nov 11, 2016 | Impact & Results, Influence

This is an excerpt from The New Brand You.

When Something Bad HappensI was working at my desk when the phone rang. It was my Mom. “Your Grandma isn’t doing well. They rushed her to the ER last night. She has a blockage and needs surgery.

Surgery is risky at any age. When you’re 97, the risks skyrocket.

I immediately booked flights for us to go to see her.

Grandmas are special, and my Grandma Broad is extra special to me.

Grandma always shares words of wisdom. These aren’t quotes from other people; her words are the very principles by which she lives.

When I say, “Have a great day, Grandma,” she often responds by saying, “Well dear, it’s my own fault if I don’t.”

When she was in the hospital, her situation was critical. We were all so worried, but she wasn’t.

She stated emphatically, “I need the surgery. This is no way to live.” If she was worried about surviving the surgery, she never showed it. As we all looked on with worry and concern, she looked back calmly and confidently.

Even the surgeon was thrilled with how well she recovered from surgery. Not only did she survive; she left intensive care and went back home within a week. The only evidence of what had happened was a portable oxygen tank, which she did not like at all. Grandma was used to being very mobile and it was slowing her down.

At her age, once you’re on oxygen, it’s tough to get off. Most people resolve themselves to that fate, but not Grandma Broad.

The doctors said if she could build up her lung capacity, she wouldn’t need the oxygen. They gave her a plastic contraption to breathe into every 30 minutes when she was awake to help build up her lungs.Grandma Broads Words of Wisdom

Even though it made her light-headed, she was blowing into it every 30 minutes on the dot. In less than a month she was off the oxygen and free to walk around the building and go to exercise class again. She proudly shares that she’s the only one in the Chair Aerobics class that doesn’t really need to be sitting for the class.

Grandma accepts what she can’t control and changes what she can. She makes it a great day, whatever the situation.

Your potential impact is so much greater than you realize. My Grandma’s impact on me everyday, whether I speak with her or not, is powerful.

How you choose to carry yourself and take care of yourself defines your brand. It will also impact your immediate friends, their friends, and even further, their friends.

My Grandma has inspired me to handle life’s curve balls with more grace. I don’t always have a choice about what happens in my life, but I do always have a choice regarding how I react.

To take a page from my Grandma’s book of life – “make it a great day” – and watch those around you do the same!

You may also like:

 

Image Credits: 

1st image: ID 46587121 © Sabphoto | Dreamstime.com

2nd image: Julie Broad

It's time for a Brand New Evolution!

DOWNLOAD THE BUILD
YOUR BRAND TOOLKIT TODAY

connect-with-julie rss fb twitter
make-your-next-meeting-a-success

What Others Say About Julie Broad:

“I can honestly say she has been one of the best speakers we have had at our events.”

Chris Davis, Conference Director & Producer, KMI Publishing & Events

"Julie has an uncanny ability to take a story, sentence or pitch and turn it into a brilliant masterpiece that is intensely appealing and influential, and then give guidance on how to use it effectively. Julie's knowledge and expertise span many areas but one her greatest talents is in her ability to influence, and to teach others to be influential, an ingredient ESSENTIAL for success!"

~ Rick Wiebe , Linden, AB, Happy Past Coaching Client

"The greatest improvement I've noticed in working with Julie is the change in approach to 'selling myself'. I am not a salesman, I hate sitting across from people thinking I need to sell them something. Now, I feel more confident that I am the prize. I realize the fit is more important and the push back actually pulls people in."

~ Mike Bugg, Saskatoon, Sask, Happy Coaching Client

"Hiring Julie as a coach was the smartest step I ever took. She is a virtual encyclopedia of knowledge and her advice has always been incredibly practical."

~ Gillian Irving, Toronto, ON, Happy Coaching Client

"Julie showed me how to gain clarity on my unique strengths and present them so that their value was unmistakeable. I have no problems landing contracts, getting partners on my projects, I even used it to get the case dropped on a recent traffic ticket."

~Janali Davis, Toronto, ON, Happy Coaching Client

"Julie Broad's intense credibility and her willingness to assist others who are also "the real deal" is what sets her apart from the other "elite" coaches and instructors. When Julie Broad is speaking on a subject you better take notice - she's done the research and hardest work so you can do it the easier way."

Jeff Trapp, Regina Real Estate Club Founder & Happy Coaching Client

“We've had Julie out to speak a few of our exclusive member events and she was a hit every time. We continue to hear great feedback on her talks. She is engaging and authentic AND she shares concrete steps to help her audience get from where they are to where they really want to be.”

Nick & Tom Karadza, Founders Rock Star Real Estate Brokerage, Oakville, ON
make-a-demo