First, I am so very honored to be nominated as a Top Rhino and am grateful for the opportunity to share a few of the insights I have learned from my life experiences so far. Unknowingly to me, I’ve always been a “Rhino” – I just never knew the term until I heard Dave give a speech last year. Throughout my fast-tracked career as a top-level Marketing Executive for two of the nation’s leading technology consulting companies, I was referred to as a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ –I am much happier to adopt the term “Top Rhino!”

For many years, I measured myself by the success of my career. I’ve been blessed with a natural ability to see what needs to be done and map a clear path to get there. (Key Rhino traits!) Having a frenetic and successful career worked very well for me until I was in my early thirties and found myself a single mother of a beautiful baby boy. As much as I wanted to devote all of my time to being a mother, it wasn’t an option for me. So, at his tender age, he endured early morning trips to the day care, harried pick-ups, and watching too many episodes Blues Clues so that I could squeeze in another couple of hours of work.

I was telling myself, “When he gets older, he’ll appreciate our financial security and look up to me for my accomplishments.” And the universe let me continue on my way until one life-changing morning. At 6:30 am, as I was trying to rustle my little 2 ½ year old out bed so that I could head to work for an 8:00 am meeting, he rolled over and said, “Mommy, can’t I please just have pancakes and eggs?”

Not so many of us are lucky enough to be hit by a bolt of lighting, but I was.  I dropped to the edge of his bed, took a long look at his tired little eyes, and said, “You know what honey, you go back to sleep.  When you wake up, I’m going to cook you those pancakes and eggs.” I snuggled him back up, shut his door, took a very long deep breath and called out sick. (Certainly I’m not condoning the fib… but sometimes when a life moment knocks—you have to answer the call.)

I knew that very morning that I had a choice to make.  Figure out a way to be a wonderful, loving mother with a much more flexible work schedule – or put my son through several more years of paying the price for my passion of corporate America.  I knew what I had to do.  It was time to make some ‘striking changes.’ I was only going to have one chance to be the best mom I could be and that was more important than any high-flying marketing career… at least it was to me.

It’s been almost seven years since that day.  And last week my son’s third grade class had a picnic luncheon at school in honor of Mother’s Day.  As we sat on our blanket, surrounded by all the other children and mothers, my son said, “Mom, I am so glad you’re here. You’re the best!” He didn’t see my eyes start to well up, and I said, “So am I sweetheart, so am I.”

For me, one of my most significant achievements as a Top Rhino was slowing down and taking time to reprioritize my life.  I believe if we follow our life’s purpose, believe in every aspect of our abilities, and put forth a little (or a lot of) risk --- the rewards will be hundred-fold.

I’ve enjoyed every aspect starting my own business and being President of Striking Changes, LLC.  I’ve met hundreds of people, nurtured relationships that would have never otherwise been possible, and learned that Corporate America can be much more of a habit than a necessity.

For more details on the tenets of my “Pancakes and Eggs Principle,” please log onto my website at www.strikingchanges.com and download my presentation under the Resources tab.  And, if your business needs help to make some striking changes in order to attract or retain new clients, we can help you achieve your goals – Rhino Style!!!

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