Lessons From My Father

How different you are in one year, 365 days, 8,760 hours or 525,600 minutes will depend on when and how you start your journey. In the play Rent, the lyrics from the song Seasons of Love address a year:

525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear.

525,600 minutes - how do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee.

In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

My dad was methodical in his approach to change or improvement. Whether you choose executive coaching or attending an event, if you are methodical, if you measure change by cups of coffee or Oreo cookies:

If you start today, where can you be in a year?

If you start today, where do you want to be in a year?

Come and have a cup of coffee with me. It’s something, it’s an inch, maybe a mile.

Come to my office or I will buy you a cup anywhere of your choosing.

How powerful this year is for you may depend on the questions you ask yourself. Here are the first 3 questions to ask in the new year, or anytime! The asking may be more important than the answers! I am glad to be a sounding board for you as you ask and answer these questions. 

At a recent video session we had a discussion about how authentic one can be while maintaining the ability to acquire clients. The topic of my choice of hosiery came up. How willing are you to stand out from your professional crowd.

1.  When You Stand Out

When I started Electric Impulse, I didn’t even know how to retrieve the first message that was left on my new phone system. Two days later I listened to the message and made an appointment to meet with partners of a Canton CPA firm. I wore my most conservative pair of black hosiery. All of my “stockings” are a color and patterned in some way.

Lesson Learned: After meeting with them, one partner said, “I can’t believe anyone would take her seriously with those stockings.” I still remember those words years later. I was faced with a choice, potentially lose business or purchase “normal” hosiery. I thought long and hard. Why did I start a business of my own, and how will I pay the bills? What would you do?

2. When You Don't Stand Out

A few years later I was at a civic event. The dress code was Western wear so I attended in my leather chaps. I ran into a CEO client walking around with a peer. As I got closer to them, my client admonished me for not wearing my “normal” stockings that he had told his friend about as we got closer. I rolled up my chaps to show them the hosiery underneath.

Lesson Learned:  The experience showed me three things: 1. as I write in my rules of communication, we can do anything as long as we are willing to live with the consequences, 2. we teach our clients what to expect from us, 3. everyone may not be a fit. What do you teach your clients to expect from you?

3. Hairs Gone By

In another century, I had a hairstyle that was created with popsicle sticks, yes, popsicle sticks. One time a prospective client called after I had been to see him in person. This was when all companies had human beings answer every phone call. He couldn’t remember my name. He told the receptionist, “I want to talk to the woman with the hair”.

Lesson Learned: Being memorable is an important trait. Being memorable in a positive way would be most desirable. We need to embrace that what is most important is to be memorable: what is a positive to one person may be a negative to another. Are you willing to risk the consequences of being memorable?

Benji completed his CD (companion dog) class so it is time for Tevi to return to the “classroom”. We were asked what our goal was for this 8 week class. I had not thought in terms of specific goals. First I chuckled, it was like a New Year’s podcast, what are your resolutions? Then I thought about it.

I have 3 goals for taking Tevi back to class:

1.    He walks on a leash without pulling OUTSIDE OF THE CLASS not just do well in class

2.    He is less reactive in the car

3.    He comes when I call him, not just when he feels like it.



If I have goals for Tevi, I guess I should have goals too. What might be your goals in the next 365 days?

1. Video and Vino First Event of the Year

January 29, 5pm - 7pm

There will only be 3 Video & Vino sessions in 2025.



Receive the gift of an experience - do this with a friend or team member.

We would be excited to have you join us at this unique session. Each participant will be taped, we will play it back, make suggestions, and tape you again. You will see immediate improvement!

You learn by doing and by observing others. Guess what? You have fun throughout the process!

• You can use your "elevator speech"
• You can use a part of any presentation you have given or will give
• You can be a pretend guest on a TV show
• You can use a few paragraphs from some famous speeches we have on hand

When: January 29th, 5pm - 7pm

Where: 822 Kumho Dr. in Fairlawn. Please park in the front of the building and come in the front door.

How: To reserve your spot(s) just email me.

2. Dead President's+ Boot Camp  

February 13 from 9:00am – 12:00pm

This is the most FUN and UNIQUE EVENT OF THE YEAR!

You can learn and apply what you learn from:

• Lincoln’s very short Gettysburg address and Churchill's very long speeches
• Why Pete Buttigeig stands out among his peers
• What you can learn from how RFK Sr. answered tough questions 

It’s a BOOT CAMP because it is intensive and interactive.

When: February 13 from 9:00am – 12:00pm

Location: Electric Impulse Office

Email me at [email protected] or text me at 330-607-5730 or pay online here to reserve your spot for $59. Text me a photo of your favorite president and attend for $39.

3. HorseTalk: Lessons in Leadership dates for 2025 

Bring yourself to one of these dates or bring your whole team to the date of your choice.

• June 27
• July 18
• August 15
• September 19

Join us at these unique events by emailing Leslie at [email protected] or calling at 330.607.5730.

Ask me about my 10 in 10!