When Life Throws a Curve Ball

09Jul09

Co-Author The Power of Women United

I often speak of the wonderful lessons we can learn from life’s tough times, and I had the opportunity to experience this – in what felt like a profound way – recently.

We often hear the saying “you can’t please everyone all of the time” and although I believe that, I had difficulty accepting it recently when a client wasn’t happy with a service I provided. I had provided the same service fifty times before and only ever heard praises, so when I did the same thing and got a different response, I was stunned. I reviewed the events over and over in my mind, thinking about what had happened and how the client had perceived things so differently than the many clients before.

I reviewed every one of her (many) comments, wondering how and why she could have perceived my actions in a way that was so very different than intended. I was shocked, but mostly embarrassed. I questioned myself, my actions, and my work. With my tail between my legs, I discussed it with other professionals, reviewing the complaints and processing how and why this had happened. I could hardly sleep at night. I thought about it every hour of the day for three days. Then I told myself to “get over it” and “learn and move on”. I made some changes to the way I practice to avoid this from ever happening again. I reassured myself that I did good work, even if this one person didn’t think so. I addressed each of her concerns in a letter at her request. Although I would have preferred speaking, she didn’t want to. I know she’ll probably not accept my reasons and explanations right now. Maybe one day she’ll see the other side, maybe not. It doesn’t really matter…only because I can’t go back and change the past. Allowing myself to continue feeling horrible doesn’t serve anyone, and it certainly doesn’t serve all the other clients I will help and who need me feeling confident.

Thanks once again to life! It has such wonderful ways of teaching us a lesson!

Stefanie Antunes, contributing author The Power of Women United

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