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Apr 20, 2011

What I Learned from a Parking Lot Attendant

While doing a Discovery Session with a new client, she said that her gremlins weren’t necessarily voices of negativity as is common with most of the women I work with. “Who do you think you are?” and “You’re not that good.”

Instead, what prevented her from moving forward with her vision were the emergencies of others. “Wow!” I thought. To have that kind of self-knowledge is impressive. Most people see themselves as victims of circumstance. This smart woman recognized that her fire-extinguishing behaviors and charitable acts of kindness were sabotaging her own momentum. In order to actualize her visions, she may have to put others’ necessities in their proper place–behind, not in front of, her own desires.

Let’s talk about other people’s emergencies for a minute. Can you relate? Having to drive a child’s overdue assignment to the school office? Filling out a form for another capable family member who hasn’t gotten around to it, and the deadline is nearing? Taking on a leadership role in a volunteer organization because someone’s mother is in the hospital and she had to step down? Any warning flags flying here?

Several years ago, although in my gut I can feel it like it was yesterday, I had tickets to a matinee in NYC. I was meeting a friend, and I was running late. I had driven into the city and had to unload my car and get to the theater before 2pm. I saw a parking lot a couple of blocks from the theater. There were several cars ahead of me, so I got in line, my temperature rising as I watched the parking attendant take his time with each person in the queue. My face, I’m sure, reflected my annoyance. I believe the attendant slowed down intentionally, simply to get back at me for projecting so much hostility.

I was at my wit’s end by the time he got to me. “Boy, this really took a long time,” I all but screamed at him. “I’m going to be late for my show. It doesn’t seem to matter to you that we all have shows to get to.” (I don’t think I actually said that, but I felt like it. )

The guy must have been reading some self-help books that I had not yet become apprised of. He said, “Don’t make your lack of planning become my emergency.”

I made it to the theater in time for the curtain, but was fuming throughout the first act. I hostilely repeated his words to my friend without getting much sympathy back as I recall. By the end of Act 2, I had digested the experience. By the time I’d had a cup of tea and walked back to the parking lot, I was ready to apologize, which I did. His look softened as he handed me my keys.

Do you play the role of victim because you haven’t put your plans into place in a way that serves you? Are you letting others’ priorities or necessities block out your precious time? Have you felt trapped behind your own prison bars, even though there are openings to your left, right and behind you?

When you begin to take full responsibility for your own heart’s desires and put your own plan into place, the ordinary gremlins and the ones that come disguised by others’ requests will subside. Action is the magic word. Take some.

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11 Comments

  1. Lennie Rose

    Really great reminder to put yourself in charge and recalibrate time and priorities. The irony of that is..when everything is going so smoothly you wonder what you forgot!

    Reply
  2. Terry S

    Jane: This one really struck a cord…what a wonderful lesson from the parking attendant. And what a good reminder for us all. I forwarded your email blog to everyone at the office and got several replies of “thanks, I needed that!” Don’t we all?!! Thanks for sharing your life lessons.

    Terry

    Reply
  3. janepollak

    @Lennie Rose
    You’re so right!

    @Terry
    Thanks for your comment and for passing along this entry.

    Reply
  4. Gini

    This is precisely what most often derails me!
    When it is not other peoples’ emergencies, it is my own “failure to plan”.

    Now I know where the improvements need to be made.

    Thank you

    Reply
  5. Andrea Deinstadt

    Thanks Jane- that was brilliant! It also shows you that anyone can be our teacher, if we’re paying attention…. Thanks to both you and the parking lot attendant, for being mine.

    Reply
  6. janepollak

    @Gini
    It’s great news that you recognized this as an issue for you. It’s easier to stay in denial and keep believing that those emergencies are yours.

    @Andrea
    EVERYONE is my teacher. Thanks for the reminder.

    Reply
  7. Monna

    Whew! This was exactly what I needed. It was as if you were watching my life on a screen! I am the ultimate multi-tasker, run around and get it done girl for everyone only to get to the end of the day, tired, worn, and still have a painting, drawing or design to complete; and angry because I did not allow enough time.
    Thanks for this reminder.

    Reply
  8. janepollak

    @Monna

    What I tell all of my creative/artistic clients is to do your own work FIRST, then move onto your multi-tasking. When you get in time for what’s most important, you will have a sense of satisfaction that will quell the anger and fuel the rest of your day. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

    Reply
  9. Judy

    Jane,

    Just yesterday I had a conversation discussing this very topic, wondering how I let everyone’s problems, needs, etc. get in the way of what I’m doing. Thank you for putting it in perspective!

    Reply
  10. janepollak

    @Judy
    You’re welcome!

    Reply
  11. Julianne

    boy that hit home……Thanks!

    Reply

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