Unstoppable or Stoppable?
Anyone who really knows me will tell you I have a wide range of musical tastes. From 80s pop to classical, country, and hard rock (my favorite of all), it really does run the gamut.
If you noticed, I didn’t mention pop music.
That’s because after the year 2000, it really hasn’t been my preferred genre. Well, except for one song. One has really spoken to me since my cancer diagnosis—“Unstoppable” by Sia.
The lyrics talk about how she is all smiles, knows what this town wants to see, while she sheds a tear behind her sunglasses. Wow … kinda sounds like all the things I’ve been talking about the past few weeks! Happy, shiny people holding hands and smiling…like the 80s song by REM.
But one message from Sia I have taken to heart is: I AM unstoppable. Until I’m stoppable!
Make sense? Yeah, not so much for me, either.
From Stoppable …
I am very much aware of my limitations as I go through cancer treatment. My stamina doesn’t allow me to work from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., attend multiple events throughout the day, and still manage a team of bank employees.
The fatigue that I have interferes with my brain function, and once I feel the brain fog settling in, I’m done for a few hours or a couple of days.
Acknowledging my limitations has been painful and yet very liberating once I took it seriously.
I’m still Debbie, the woman who loves connecting with others, advocating for causes that matter to me, and spreading humor and sunshine whenever I can. And now I can do that while also recognizing and admitting my challenges. Thanks for that, cancer!
To Unstoppable With Boundaries
That freedom to be myself and focus my energy on what matters to me has made me unstoppable in a whole different way. I am intentional (ouch, buzzword alert) about where I spend my energy.
I am still a powerhouse of a networker, connecting people with other people who have the resources and products they need.
I have more purposeful meetings with friends for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
I decide which meetings and workshops I want to attend to improve myself, not just my image.
And I do it all within the boundaries that I have set. I have never been more unstoppable now that I have a clear purpose and meaning behind everything I do.
Every ounce of my limited energy is spent doing things that matter to me, whether it’s traveling with my husband or traveling on my own. Exploring a new tropical destination with my husband or going to a spring training game with my daughter in Arizona.
Having coffee with a friend at my favorite local coffee shop or happy hour (ahem, networking, lol) with friends to catch up on the latest and greatest marketing trends.
Advocating for other cancer patients through meaningful forums and communication with legislators and healthcare providers.
Weekly Challenge
I know that my challenges and “energizer bunny” mentality are not uniquely mine. Truth is, I had limitations before cancer. I just chose to ignore them until I couldn’t any longer.
I think it’s a safe bet that you are trying to be unstoppable to the point of exhaustion and even illness. Today is the day to start making your list of priorities—what makes YOU happy, productive, and fulfilled? I know that many of you will say your career, which is great—until or unless it’s taken from you.
And then what? Do you know what you would do if that career were gone tomorrow?
Some of you will probably say your family is why you keep going. Again, that’s great-until your kids grow up, or take a path in life that separates you from them (addiction, geographical move), or your spouse is gone (divorce, death, emotional isolation).
And then what? What will keep you going if those things are gone?
At the end of the day, the person in the mirror might be all you have.
Take some time to get to know that person and what fulfills them.
And then … go forth. Be exceptional!
♥️♥️🐝