Goal: Intentionally not achieved

It’s that time of year that most of us abandon our New Years resolutions. I want to share an experience I had in the Fall.

I’ve always been one for setting goals. In 2010 I set only one goal. It was to get my natural skin care line, Little Stinker, into one specific retail chain store. Through out the year I worked to create a relationship with the local store and was excited to learn they were flying out their buyers and would hold one on one meetings.

I showed up with product in hand. Then I had to wait, and wait. My time was scheduled for 12:30 and it was almost 1:30. I had preschool orientation for my son at 2:00 and knew that I could not do both. Sure my mom could cover for me and take my son to orientation.

Fortunately for me, it was an easy decision. The big reason I started a company was to be home with my kids. I didn’t ever want their to be a conflict of interest or have work overshadow my priorities. So, I thanked the local gal for coordinating the meeting but told her I had to be at my son’s preschool orientation.

I left.

Driving to pick up my son, I thought of how that moment was “the moment”. I felt torn because I felt like I’d let my business partners down but was proud that I had made the right decision and not let down my son.

As a business owner, it’s hard to find that right balance. But I have to say, I am still proud of that decision. And now, when I walk into that store and don’t see my product, I smile and feel good about the decision. I know I didn’t fail at my goal.

Somethings can wait and I hope that this Fall we’ll have another opportunity to sell the product.