Wednesday, August 25, 2010

A Problem With Happiness

Glossary of canvassing terms:
Rap: The conversation you have at a door.
Contact: The person you speak to at a door.
Turf: The neighborhood or area in which you work.
Burb: The van or suburban vehicle that delivers you to turf.


Some people say it's the turf. They say "you did what you could. Sometimes it just works out that way. Some nights you just don't hit standard. It all evens out in the end."

But I don't think that was the case last night. I only raised $130 in Harrison Township which is very close to Lake St. Claire. Another guy in our group had someone write him a $365 check last night. People on turf knew who the candidates were for the November election. They were educated about water quality and water-related issues. Many of them were familiar with Clean Water Action and interested in signing the statement of support to put a permanent ban on off-shore drilling in the Great Lakes. But I couldn't seem to squeeze even five bucks out of most of them.

Seriously, something's wrong with me. I knocked on an above-average number of doors. I talked to an above-average number of people. And I finished with a below-average amount of money. This was the second night in a row that this has happened.

What gives?

It could be that my house has been in a state of discombobulation due to carpet cleaning. I did misplace my keys yesterday. I don't think that's it, though. To be honest with you, I think it's this guy who I met on Sunday at the Sidetrack -- the one I'm supposed to go out with on Saturday (if my blog post from yesterday didn't scare him away!).

I've just always been this way and I guess it's true even though I took a few years off from dating. Friends who know me from high school can attest to this little problem that I have. I'm boy crazy! I can't help it. I haven't really had it happen like this in quite awhile. But this guy is so cute and we are exactly the same age and sort of like two peas in a pod in a certain sense -- both small-town people who had opportunities to travel, both divorced, both having recently discerned a knack for sales. And he was a basketball player in high school. Very attractive. I had a big crush on a Varsity Basketball Player when I was a freshman (Brian Norton, remember him?)but I've never really dated a basketball guy.

I don't know for sure but if I had to put my finger on it, I think I would have to say that I feel just a little too happy. I think it's throwing my rap off. Maybe I'm not putting enough pressure on people because I feel too happy. Something like that.

So today I am going to make a concerted effort not to be too happy. After all, who knows if we'll even get to Saturday. The world could end before then -- or he could fall in love with someone else between now and then. I've had that happen before; haven't you? Men can be so crazy.

And in addition to not being too happy today, I'm going to make it a point to read a chapter in a good sales book I have. And I'm going to listen to a sales CD on my way to work.

Hopefully that will keep me grounded.

2 comments:

  1. Don't lose it, USE IT! "On a glorious day like this, doesn't it give you hope that if we all pull together and if we are generous with out time and money that we can DO this!" or "I'm feeling so optimistic today about this. How wonderful to meet so many people who are as concerned about this as I am. I'm sure you'll be generous, to support this wonderful cause!"

    Or how you would say it. The only time to tone down happiness is when you're the anchor reporting on death and mayhem. Or at a funeral.

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  2. NEVER try to make yourself feel less happy! Enjoy every little bit of happiness that comes your way. People probably aren't giving much to you because of the recession, not due to anything personal about you. The other guy who met the big donor was probably just luckier than you, not more persuasive.

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