Destination Inspiration

February 2008

Negative Experiences or
Positive Outcomes?

By Lisbeth Anne Marín

Motivational Speaker

Professional Development Consultant

There is a palpable sense of dread that accompanies a necessary but distinctly negatory experience in the life of every woman and it can freeze you in your tracks.  In fact, the anticipation of this unpleasant event can far outweigh its actual negativity! 

Consider ‘The Appointment’; you know… the annual one that causes many a fine woman to shrug off this critical me-time.  Perhaps we could sugar-coat it with humorous and sarcastic slants… ‘The Yearly Spread Search’ or ‘Putting Your Feet In The Stirrups Of The Horse With No Name’… Still, this doesn’t defuse the anticipation of ‘please slide forward’ or ‘you might feel a little pressure’.

I can’t think of one female who anticipates this event with glee.  Certainly we can concur that it’s embarrassing, uncomfortable, possibly humiliating and for some, a truly scary experience.  Nevertheless, it is one of life’s requisite negatives that once concluded, results in a positive outcome.  I’m referring to that euphoric feeling after ‘The Appointment’ when you can rejoice in being done with it for an entire year, now that deserves a group Woohooo right there!

So, on this, the eve of my appointment, I am comforted by a few simple preparations that will deliver me to a calm and centered place.  Being emotionally and physically prepared enables me to keep that happy ending in sight and actually look forward to it.  Now hold on…, before you flip the page with skepticism, allow me to clarify that it’s not the same eagerness I feel for a bucket of warm buttered popcorn.  But I’m finally conquering the hissy fits and cancellation minded crying jags that surface whenever it comes time for the annual visit to ‘Dr. Va-JJ’.

These ceremonial preparations include an indulgent home-spa routine that poufs, pomades, and pampers me for that ultimate inspection.  Next, I schedule a celebration lunch with a gal-pal and for the cherry on my preparation pie I get out a custom handcrafted examination gown.  Excuse Me?!  Yep, I’ve sacrificed a lovely white, 400 TC, Egyptian-cotton sheet and made a simple garment that serves the purpose, while preserving my sense of physical dignity.  I’ve suffered my share of emotional duress while waiting on an examination table, clutching the shreds of a glorified paper towel to my fluffy frame…can I hear an amen from my sisters who agree that one size certainly does not fit all!  

In fact, most paper gowns barely fit a Rodeo Drive Mannequin, and that ain’t me babe.  Just knowing that I’ll never have to wear the paper gown of shame again prepares me to have a positive outcome.  Now I’ll admit that my couture exam-gown has garnered some surprised looks from the medical professionals who have the pleasure of seeing me in all my glory.  But the response is always positive and I’ve never been told that I couldn’t use it.  Do you see how simple it can be to turn a pesky negative into a foreseeable positive?

There is real glory in being a woman who embraces the principle of undertaking and conquering negative experiences to achieve positive outcomes.  This fundamental mindset can be successfully integrated into other life venues.  When staring down the barrel of a negative experience, having a positive expectation can help you hit the bulls-eye. 

Why not develop a customized preparation plan that bolsters your ability to keep difficult appointments, master your greatest challenges and stop avoiding positive outcomes that are disguised as negative experiences.

Remember, if you can see it in your mind,
you can have it in your life!

Lisbeth Anne Marín is a Motivational Training Consultant and Public Speaker specializing in interpersonal and organizational development skills.  She presents a wide array of staff development training programs, motivational seminars and interactive human resource workshops.  To view the topics on which training programs can be provided, please visit the website, www.lisbethanne.com or call Lisbeth at 910.867.3163 to discuss your training goals.  The website also features a gallery of award winning designs along with a schedule of complimentary Business Seminars that are presented to the public through the Center for Business and Industry at F.T.C.C.