Monette’s Mindful Management: Choose Carefully: Choose Your Question Well, Part II of III
Monette’s Mindful Management
Copyright by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part I, posted September 15th, shared “Choose Carefully: Choosing Your Answer Well, Part I of III”
This post contains “Choose Carefully: Choose Your Question Well, Part II of III”
The next morning I attended the invitation-only breakfast (with bankers). I arrived at 6:30, the mixer still a fresh memory. I was quickly informed, “This is a problem.”
The gentleman who invited me said, “Everyone is seated. You missed initial introductions.”
I gritted my teeth and said, “I missed the turn in the darkness and had to circle the entire city to find the dang entry.” He howled with laughter
He reminded me to keep my goal. I asked where the power table was; where were the bankers? He pointed to a table with multiple empty chairs. My friend smiled proudly as I headed off a little more confidant.
I walked to their table; I politely asked if a chair was available. I did not wear a hat or nametag.
They looked at me like I had three heads and said, “No.”
I focused on not speaking multiple words and calmly walked back to my friend near the doorway.
He was already in full gut-busting laughter. “You really do want this. Good for you! You’re going to have to sit over there (indicating). I have a chair reserved for you. You will do just fine there. Go.”
I looked deep into his eyes, avoided sighing (or mumbling).
He continued to laugh out loud, and rubbed one of my shoulders while I reassessed my moment. Watching my new friend intently, I headed off to my table.
Later he told me, “No one had ever asked to join the head table. One is asked.” Now he tells me.
After I sat, my friend approached and shared that I was his guest. I remained silent, then watched as he strolled away.
When he glanced back with a huge smile I did not blink, nor smile. We had an entire conversation with that one look.
During breakfast I was asked if I would like to attend a luncheon.
I had a full-time teaching job (two shifts) at the community college; that morning I had agreed to pay cash to a teacher to take my classes, so I could attend this breakfast. Truly
In response to the invite, I hoped I didn’t sound overwhelmed and replied, “Of course. When might that be?”
Details were shared: approximately one thousand people attend scheduled lunches; specific individuals, members, introduce themselves, speaking about their service and company
I just knew this was another opportunity – a new mindful moment.
I paused and said slowly, “I have one condition.” The leaders at this table did not laugh.
They sincerely inquired, “And what is that?”
I knew the answers last night, the questions this morning, and this possible condition was another opportunity that could change everything.
Chin up, I softly said, “I want to speak second.”
No one asked me why. They shared details. Then I was informed, “Yes, you may be second.”
My reason? I knew with this ‘new moment’ and standing in front of approximately one thousand people waiting to speak, listening for others to begin and finish, I just might find that exit door.
Leaving the invite-only breakfast launched the one unfortunate (and awkward) moment thus far with my ‘needing’ to seek new goals. I heard my name …
Monette’s Mindful Management, “Choose Carefully: Choose Well” Part III will be shared in two weeks.
MyLegal.com Contributing Editor, Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CRI, CPE, may be reached at www.CRRbooks.com and www.ARTCS.com for private customized coaching and tutoring.
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist Educational/Career Advancement
Blog: Monette’s Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
Please contact Monette@CRRbooks.com to request permission to repost or to add a link to this article, which was first posted on www.mylegal.com, September 30, 2009.
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the
Court Reporting
& Captioning Industry
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA.
She is the author of multiple books and Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry to include the national and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ Textbook, Workbook, Companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and ‘CATapult’ Your Dictionary CD Software Program series.
Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced www.crrbooks.com/
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, real-time court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist.
She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: http://www.artcs.com/