Don’t Miss Your Starting Gun

“Suddenly ten years have got behind you.

No one told you when to run.

You missed the starting gun.”

~ Lyrics from Pink Floyd’s classic song, “Time”.

I had one of the best days of my entire life recently – April 15th, 2005.

It’s 12:40am. April, my wife, reaches over, grabs my arm and says, “It’s happening.” Really?! Yes, really. Contractions have started. The labour of our second child has begun. “Oh boy.”

I dutifully start timing contractions. Almost right away they are 40 seconds long and 4 minutes apart, then very quickly 50 seconds, 3-1/2 minutes apart. “This can’t be right. This isn’t supposed to happen till much later,” I frantically think to myself, not wanting to alarm April. I fumble for our handy pregnancy reference manual and double check. Cripes, I’m right; this is really active labour. “But we only started 30 minutes ago,” I mutter. Looking for some reassurance and advice, I quickly call the maternity ward. On the other end of the phone I hear a soothing voice: “Yes, sounds like it’s time. You probably want to bring her in. No need to hurry, though.” I’m now basking in a wave of both relief and anticipation. I load up the car and off we go.

The 30-minute drive is certainly eventful. Contractions are getting stronger and longer. Driving speed is getting faster. Oops, there goes her water. “Hmmm, I’m not so sure about this,” I start thinking. I begin driving through red lights when it’s safe to do so. Contractions are getting stronger yet. Images of the television series ‘ER’ start to flash before me.

Phew! We arrive safely at the hospital, take a quick wheelchair ride to the birthing ward and they’ve got a bed waiting. She’s checked in and examined right away. “Oh,” says the nurse, somewhat surprised, “it’s time to have this baby.” “What?! What are you talking about? I’m not ready for it to come,” I felt like protesting. Nine minutes later, Samantha Ferguson Broughton arrives safely into the world. A girl!

I pause and take a breath. Wow. A girl.

In that instant time stands still and my mind races. Many of the things we might share together zip before me – her first steps, funny new kid-words, her first day of school, her artwork, learning to ride a bike, skinned knees, playground stories, school plays, meeting the boyfriends (groan), broken hearts, sending her off to university, graduation, her wedding…and letting her go. Oh my goodness, letting her go. I’m overtaken with joy. Overtaken with an appreciation of how quickly this is all going to pass. I don’t want to miss any of it.

Time returns. I cut the umbilical cord. We’ve made it.

I sometimes live the important parts of my life like there’s all the time in the world. I’ll get to them “later.” “I’ll spend more time when this and if that…” I can confuse urgent matters with the ones that truly count, and let day-to-day demands bump the important stuff. When I lose perspective, I need to start listening to the signals around me again.

Thank you, Samantha, for sounding a starting gun on our coming years together.

Coaching Questions:

Many people believe there are signals around us all the time, offering to guide us if only we’ll listen. The signals often start quietly and get louder until they’re heard. They come through many forms – your body, your physical environment, and your relationships, including your clients.

Listen.

What are your starting guns?

Where are they telling you to run?

By Jamie Broughton of Footprint Leadership. If you're ready to build a stellar business and career without working harder than you already are, get your complimentary Leadership Springboard Workbook and tips now at www.footprintleadership.com

Don’t Miss Your Starting Gun - To learn more about this author, visit Jamie Broughton's Website.

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