Challenging Times

Challenging times for hope. Where are our leaders? When will they lead? Here’s some leadership from my mom: “We. Don’t. Quit.”

My mother would be 101 years old tomorrow. It’s been 20 years since I heard her voice in real life, not just in my head and heart.

She taught me my most valuable lesson when I was 17 years old. It was the Illinois High School Speech Tournament. It was my senior year and my school, Richwoods High School of Peoria, was in the Finals at the University of Illinois campus.

My Comedy Reading

My comedy reading had won District and Regional, so I thought I was on target to win first place at State, which would garner five points for my school team.

But it was not to be. I was in the middle of my Comedy Reading event in a very hot, packed classroom, when I went blank. The silence scared me; I felt faint. I stumbled toward the door of the classroom, opened it, felt a whoosh of cool air, and kept walking.

My mother had followed me out the door, and was right behind me. She said, “Miriam (my ‘serious’ name), get back in there and finish!”

“No, Mom. I can’t,” I whined, “I’m too embarrassed.”

We. Don’t. Quit.

Mom said, “We. Don’t. Quit.” Get back in there right now and finish.” I flashed her a look; she was being rough on me, but the roughness was necessary. I said, “Where was I?” Mom recited the last line I said of my routine. I went back in, fought through the waves of pity I felt from the audience, and made them laugh once more.

The judges didn’t know what to do with me. But there is a category called “Poise,” and they had to mark me down for that. They gave me fifth place which counted for one point for my team.

That year, my school won its first State Championship by – wait for it — one point. Really. If I had quit, I would not have been awarded that one point, and we would not have won. That’s how important it was for me not to quit.

So when things look bleak, channel my mother, whom I honor on her birthday month as I do every day. Use your serious name, and say to yourself, “We. Don’t. Quit.”

Work With Mimi

And don’t quit on opportunities to speak to grow your career. Please schedule a 30-minute complimentary clarity call with me. You get value and we discover if we are a match to work together.

Mimi Donaldson

Mimi was a superstar in the speaking business, keynoting for audiences of thousands. Her combination of sophisticated humor and solid content made her one of America’s most popular funny females.

Mimi has created speeches and “found the funny” for TEDx Talkers, executives, celebrities, and entrepreneurs. Before starting her speaking and coaching business, she was a Human Resources Specialists with Walt Disney, Northrop Aircraft, and Rockwell International.