SPEAKER
REDUX
A lifesaving lesson in adapting to change and meaningful reinvention
BY MOLLY COX
Ihave been to dozens of programs on life-balance and flexibility—heck, I speak on
life-balance and improvisation. But nothing could have prepared me for the years I
cared for my mother when her cancer recurred, while also caring for my father, who
suffers from Alzheimer’s, raising a wild teenage daughter, a son and . . . oh, running
a business. Barely running a business.
I found myself actually writing a check to a client, to return the money that was given to
me as a deposit for a speech. Then I had to do it a second time, for another client. That
time with tears. But if you can’t do the speech, you can’t keep the money.
Under normal circumstances, when you have a setback in your business, you take it in
stride. In time, the sun peeks out, a magnificent rainbow appears and you’re back on track.
You motivate, teach and in general, make the world an amazing place. After all, that’s what
we do. It’s who we are! Except when it doesn’t work out that way.
