Waiting tables

I had a good class this evening. I expected no one and got four attendees, half of which were just drop-ins. Class participation was great. The exercises seemed just enough of a challenge to get them thinking differently. All the material I prepared timed out perfectly. I think everyone had a positive experience. I’ll check the evals tomorrow.

But yesterday no one showed. I followed the marketing “tricks” that I knew to gain interest: make it simple and engaging, make it relevant to them, push a reminder, have good signage (and on this I welcomed drop-ins). It didn’t make a difference. I waited 20 minutes and then called it.

This is the first time I have tried to run a workshop and designed classes. I put a lot of effort into it and I have another two classes to run next week that I have to prepare for. But this whole experience reninds me of waiting tables. Some days were good and I went home with a pocket full of money. Some days my pockets were almost empty. And the differeence between the two wasn’t always due to my performance.

I went home yesterday wondering if I had missed the mark by too much. If what I knew about people and engagement wouldn’t work here. But aftere today, I realize that it’s just another day. I have improvements to make, certainly. But sometimes, the day just falls where it does.