I had an important job interview the other evening; I'm a Realtor, and the people I was meeting with had interviewed three other agents and were deciding who to choose to help them market their home. They had had it on the market with another agent and wanted some answers as to why their home had not sold. After finishing my detailed marketing presentation, I was ready to answer the list of questions they had prepared for me. I watched as they reacted to my answers not verbally, but with body language that told me I was earning their trust. With arms now unfolded and leaning in towards me, she posed the final question: "Why do you think we should hire you for the job?"I responded with an assessment of my superior experience and knowledge of the market. Before I left, I also gave them a list of client testimonials for them to review, filled with words of praise that I hoped would reassure them that I was the right choice.
On the way home, I thought about my answer to their last question and chastised myself for not making my response more personal. Alone in the car, I voiced a response that I felt was true and would convey my work ethic with more enthusiasm: "My clients who have worked with other Realtors tell me no one has worked as hard for them as I have and that I have shown them that I care personally about their needs."
The next morning, my interview was still fresh on my mind as I prepared for the day's activities (open houses, appointments, etc.) and tried to focus on my goals for the coming week. I reminded myself of a commitment I had made at my Friday Weight Watchers meeting. We had all agreed to acknowledge our own strengths and do something to use them to further our weight loss goals. I should find an opportunity today, I thought. As I stood unpretentiously in my underwear in front of a mirror, I knew I needed to make some kind of commitment to myself.
In a sudden flash of keen awareness (Oprah's "Aha" moment) and a touch of dejavu, I realized the opportunity was literally right in front of my eyes....a job interview with myself!!
As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I looked deeply into the eyes of my "client," the person I was accountable to and responsible for. Looking back at me were deep brown eyes searching for answers, for some kind of reassurance, and commitment to the task at hand. I continued to stare, long enough to achieve that sort of "out of body" feeling, to more objectively assess what was in front of me.
A more perfect "Before" picture, I have never seen, as I looked out-of-shape, rather serious, and a bit lost. (I, too, wanted some answers!)
I slipped easily into third-person mode, and without averting my gaze, told my reflection that I was the person taking charge of this project; that there would be no interviewing other people for the job; that I was the only one who could help, the only one who could give her what she needed. I assured her (hereafter referred to as "Eileen") that while I was her only choice, I was also the person who knew her best and loved her most.
These words reminded me of an experience I had shortly after my father's death. He came to me and reminded me how I had once told him not to be so hard on himself. He then asked me to heed that same advice when I needed it. We also talked about God's love for us and of the precious gift of forgiveness our family had given him shortly before he passed away. I knew I had to accept that same gift of forgiveness for myself before I could wage this weight battle for the final time. I forgave myself for past failures and for putting others' needs before my own too often.
The eyes that stared back at me now were flowing with tears, and my promise continued, with more conviction. A part of me (still making the comparison between this chat with myself and my job interview) suddenly saw the ridiculous aspect of the "resume" I was presenting:
"Yes, I have been a bit busy for over fifty years...helping everyone else on the planet, and getting rave reviews!! I was simply too busy to pay much attention to you, but here I am now!"
This is where the giggling started, which soon erupted into uncontrollable laughter, as I imagined such a lame excuse being offered by anyone, much less someone expecting to be hired for an important job.
I recited my pathetic resume again and again, laughing harder every time. By now, the odd sounds of my out-of-control laughter had attracted the attention of my dog, Homer, who had assumed the "What the heck is going on here?" look, cocking his head and looking bewildered. This, of course, heightened the hilarity of the moment. (Poor Homer; he is very sensitive, and I may have traumatized him.)
It was, indeed, a very powerful experience, as I gathered my composure to make one last promise to "Eileen." "Yes, I really do mean it when I tell my clients that I will work hard to help them reach their goals, and I put my heart and soul into those efforts. I am promising you now that I will take charge of this weight battle for you...because you deserve it!"
A long pause ensued as I let the words sink in and looked to see if she trusted me....She did!
I can't wait til my Friday Weight Watchers meeting, when our energetic leader, Sue, will enthusiastically praise me for meeting my "First 10 Pounds Off" goal. I will have to modify my preplanned response for her when she asks me how I did it. Instead of saying, "I owe it all to determination," I will now say, "I owe it all to determination and a new found personal commitment; the kind that is powerful and lasting...The kind that gets the job done!"
And I will highly recommend an "Underwear Interview" to all of my fellow weight watchers; it's the most important job you'll ever apply for!
Mary Eileen
