{"id":103,"date":"2018-01-28T18:45:00","date_gmt":"2018-01-28T18:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.strongwithmitzi.net\/blog\/?p=103"},"modified":"2021-06-21T18:38:46","modified_gmt":"2021-06-21T18:38:46","slug":"strong-presence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.strongwithmitzi.net\/blog\/strong-presence\/","title":{"rendered":"STRONG PRESENCE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cYou Only Get One Chance to Make a First Impression\u201d. Will Rogers<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

That is undoubtedly one of the truest quotes ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This weekend I had the biggest challenge of this that I\u2019ve had in a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have preached it more times that I\u2019d like to share. Hold your head high, shoulders back, eyes up, own the room, positive energy, smile, be known you are there by your sheer presence, these are essential to looking STRONG and working a space that you would rather crawl in a hole and die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look back on the last time you approached a scenario that you were uncomfortable with. How did you attack it? Would you have done it differently?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I, honestly, think I did this pretty well until Friday<\/strong>. I received a phone call from a friend of mine informing me that I had done well enough in the Rodan & Fields business to attend a mini retreat in Gulf Shores this past weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My initial thought was NO. I\u2019m not driving 6 hours Friday, stay 2 quick nights, drive home 6 hours Sunday\u2026 WITH WOMEN I DO NOT KNOW\u2026 Nope, that\u2019s not happening. And then, I thought why not? You can step out of your box for 3 days, as you encourage others to do, and just go, just go. So, I text Marlo with a great big I\u2019M IN. WTH, did I just do? No turning back now, this girl is going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last minute packing Friday at noon, hoping I would come down with the flu, I loaded my truck and out the drive way I went. 6 hours of traffic, time and me, maybe I needed that part more than I thought I did. Around 6:45, I get a text from Marlo and find out she is behind me getting to this retreat and I will get there before her\u2026 Problem solved, I would sit in the parking lot and wait for her. I don\u2019t know these people. My attitude is plummeting quickly. I can\u2019t do this. Calling Bruce, I\u2019m like, if I need an out I need you to tell me one of the kids has the flu. I wanted to vomit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I drive up to San Carlos Condo\u2019s in Gulf Shores. Just get out Mitzi. Apparently, Marlo has called these other ladies and told them I was there. Guess who gets a greeting in the parking lot from people she doesn\u2019t know?   ME!   Well damn it\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introductions. This is your room. Get comfy. Grab your computer and a cocktail (THANK GOD) and we will head over to the other condo with the rest of us. Oh Goody, I can\u2019t wait. \u201cThe rest of US\u201d. I wasn\u2019t US. Who is US? Where did US come from? You talk about Mitzi (yeah me) feeling out the loop. I was on the verge of tears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I walk in to a condo full of 8 beautiful women giggling, sharing thoughts, probably on their 3rd<\/sup> cocktail, and then there is me. \u201cHi, I\u2019m Mitzi, is there a wifi password.\u201d How exciting is that? I am now fidgeting, getting out my computer, trying to do what they are doing, pour a glass of wine and my level of anxiety is now out the roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AND THEN\u2026 as I am sitting at the bar with my back to the crowd, someone asks \u201cdo you say the F bomb or do you get offended if someone says it?\u201d OMG\u2026 HERE IS MY REDEMPTION MOMENT!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I simply place my hands on the side of my computer, turn slowly to face the table and say \u201cMy anxiety level is F\u2019ing on over drive. I just walked in a F\u2019ing condo that I don\u2019t know any of you. I have F\u2019ing cry in my throat. Yes, I drop the F bomb.\u201d And they were like, \u201cI love you\u201d.   I could have said anything at that moment, so why not say the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This past weekend was incredible. New friends, new business opportunities, new outlook, and a first impression that will last. I wouldn\u2019t change anything that led up to this. I will change my perspective on if I get another opportunity to be in the same predicament. I will hold myself with more confidence and self-presence than I did on that Friday night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I say to you\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n