COFFEE SHOP TALK.
How do you walk in to the coffee shop?
The other day, I was supposed to meet up with a complete stranger at a cafe I had never visited to discuss a potential event collaboration for The Wren Way.
In Los Angeles, this is a fraught enterprise. People are late. People don't show up. Traffic is wild. Parking is wilder. The culture of last minute cancellations runs deep here. So, I have two choices: show up expecting the worst or show up expecting the best.
Now, imagine that I walk in cranky from the traffic, nervous about the meeting, already assuming my date will flake, annoyed at the line at the counter, body all criss-crossed and tense. I'm radiating stress and tension.
Or imagine that on the way there, I turned up my favorite song and focused on what adventures might come from her showing up or *not* showing up. The coffee shop might hold the key to a new best friend, a new job opportunity, or a just a new fun spot to work in the afternoon. So either way, it's a win.
Walking into a coffee shop isn't just about grabbing a cup of joe—it's about embracing the opportunity for amazing things to happen
I intentionally strolled in relaxed, curious, confident, and observant filled with a sense of anticipation - not just for the caffeine fix - but for the potential waiting to unfold. I got smiles from the staff, a hello from a little star wearing sunglasses (and her nanny), and belly laughs from a fellow sitting next to me.
So, the next time you step into a coffee shop - or board room or industry conference or sales call - may you walk in with a decided openness to the magic of human connection despite the traffic. Who knows what wonderful encounters await?
Spoiler Alert: She *did* show up wearing a matching blue outfit, all smiles, and was wonderful. I can't wait to see what we create together.
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Jennifer Wren, founder of The Wren Way, is a Life and Leadership Coach who helps mid-life women stop feeling stuck and start having fun though the intentional practice of compassion, play, curiosity and aligned action.
