The cold finger of dread on my spine

I woke up and felt a nameless fear. I stared around my bedroom in the early morning gloom and all seemed as it should be. Partner already up, I could smell the coffee, dogs still in sleeping, I could hear them snoring, no ill effects from my long run the day before, I flexed and all parts seemed to be operational.

I stumble out to the kitchen. The Business section of the morning paper was next to my steaming cup of coffee. Bail outs, crashing markets, massive layoffs, blah, blah. Same old, same old. My sleep addled brain couldn't put a name on the feeling of dread lingering in the back of my mind but it was there. A cold finger caressing my spine, causing me to look over my shoulder and wonder what is coming?

Shake it off, shake it off. Nothing a second cup of coffee and a hot shower can't banish. Off I go. Shower is steaming, coffee is precariously perched next to curling iron, all is well and then I see it. Hanging innocently from the back of my closet door, the suit. The grey one. But all my suits are grey (or black) This however is the suit, the one that that gets trotted out for interviews, none of those scheduled, the one I wear to closings, unfortunately none of those schedule either, and the one I wear when I cold call.

AAHHHHHHGG! COLD CALLING! Realization poured down on me like being caught in a storm. I nervously checked my schedule. Yup. Today I had scheduled myself for 3 hours of cold calling. 3 hours of driving around, showing up without an appointment, trying to get past the dragon lady at the desk to meet with Realtors.

I hate this. Truly, honestly hate it. I prefer to schedule appointments with people at a time that is convenient to them. I prefer to give an out line of what we will talk about, what value I can provide. I don't like people dropping in on me and I hate to do it to other people.

As I dried my hair and desperately looked for a pair of hose without a run I made every excuse my newly caffeinated brain could think of, old school way of marketing, rude and intrusive, ineffective use of time, no one actually goes to the office anyway, if they thought I could be of service they would have returned my calls. I had myself just about talked out of it. The dread was receding with the thought that I wouldn't have to do this when I remembered the sales trainings I used to give. Telling people to step out of their comfort zone, that nothing replaces face to face meetings, that persistence coupled with a valuable service will equal success.

Time to buckle up your chin strap Girlie, you're going in. I didn't walk out of any office with a handful of leads, I didn't expect to. I did make a few contacts and had several nice conversations, even with the dragon ladies. This is what it's all about.

When you wake up with that feeling of dread, knowing you will be stepping out of your comfort, take heart. I'll bet it won't be as bad as you think!