Coaching & the Catholic Guilt Trip

There are many ways to get someone to do something. One that works well on me is a little ride on the Catholic Guilt Trip. Although I no longer attend mass, if asked my religion I answer “I was raised Catholic”. Those who have been on this trip smile & nod. We’re joined in a cultural sort of way.

So yesterday my friend, Sue, who is part of the same author’s coaching telebridge group that I am sent me a story to read and comment upon. She’s going to send it in for possible publication, as the man who is mentoring all 80 of us has requested. He invited submissions two months ago, and last month did a fine job of scolding us - because apparently not one person submitted anything.

Sue is wildly competitive and I’m easily pushed by guilt, so she and I make a good pair. She rose to the occasion by writing up a story she told me, and I stepped up after receiving her piece and wrote one of my own.

So in two weeks when the next call happens I won’t have to feel so guilty, and Sue can feel like she’s won. And we’ll be contributing authors (hopefully) to www.networkingnow.com.

If there’s something you’ve been putting off doing, my suggestion is to find a person to buddy up with who will hold you accountable to what you say. Today’s quote, from Unknown, “Integrity is turning intention into action.”