Shaking. Then Shaking it Off.
So this morning I attended a very important meeting. Previously, I'd organized two separate meetings to strategize for this one. I did hours of research on key topics. I obsessed about what to say, how to present my objectives, and what to wear.
Last night, I engaged in my patented prepare-a-palooza. This entailed: trying on my professional looking clothes to avoid last-minute stain removal/ironing/underwear shortage, organizing all papers related to the meeting, typing up talking points, setting two alarms to ensure I'd wake up on time, leaving tons of extra time for the commute, checking a zillion times to ensure possession of pen, keys, subway pass, and wallet.
In addition, I have been so paranoid about this meeting that I've actually checked and rechecked the meeting agenda on several occasions, because I had this nagging fear that I'd misread it and that the meeting had actually been scheduled for last Tuesday, or Monday, or a different day altogether.
So. I arrived at the meeting destination exactly 30 minutes early. I settled in at a different lobby with a crossword puzzle, to avoid appearing like a crazy early meeting stalker. After sufficient time had passed, I arrived at the office and was greeted by a puzzled staffer who told me that the meeting had started at 8:00. EIGHT. Not EIGHT fucking THIRTY. In the billions of time I'd checked the agenda, the room location, the names of the participants, and every other detail, I'd somehow managed to get that wrong. I have no excuse or explanation. I just fucked up.
There was no way to convey how out of character this was for me, without revealing just how insanely prepared I actually was. So after several apologies, I took a deep breath and did my best to shake off my horror, and move on, and rock the meeting to the extent possible. Still, since 8:30 this morning, I have periodically thought about what happened, and writhed in shame and disbelief.
But now that I have blogged about my major gaffe, I am officially laying it to rest.
Posted by Dori at 10:18 PM
6 Comments
Something like this happened to me in 1993. I can tell you the story sometime.
Something like this probably happened to me in 1993, 1994, and every year since, but I can't tell you the story because it's not that big of a deal, and I've long since forgotten.
I am such an overpreparer too. And sometimes you prepare so much that you screw up. Just shake it off because I'm sure you rocked it anyway.
Oh, bummer, Dori! That is so unfair, but I'm certain that your awesomeness was shining through any of that other mess. And I agree that this will all be soon forgotten. That one thought has gotten me through many a gaffe.
Ohmygod Ohmygod. I'm so sorry. Do NOT let yourself spend one more moment thinking about this - it will drive you crazy. I'm sure your performance at the meeting more than made up for the delayed arrival.
These things happen to Every.One. Don't give it another thought.
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