1st January 2025
It was New Year’s Day. As part of my resolutions, I promised myself to wake up an hour earlier than usual. Normally, my alarm would go off at 7:30 AM, but I set it for 6:30 AM—and to my own surprise, I woke up on the first ring.
That small victory felt monumental, so I celebrated with a simple gesture: buying a new sticky note. I began my day by jotting down my to-do list:
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM:
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- Walk Rambo (my dog)
- Read 10 pages of Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal
- Schedule and post writings for Offline Thinker
- Write my journal and track expenses
- Call the communication officer
- Draft a collaboration plan with Subin B.
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9:30 AM – 5:30 PM:
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- Arrive at the office on time
- Write scripts
- Attend meetings
- Plan the week’s schedule
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6:00 PM – 7:30 PM:
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- Meet friends
- Take a tea break
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8:00 PM – 10:00 PM:
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- Have dinner
- Listen to music
- Watch a podcast
- Use social media
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The morning unfolded seamlessly. I walked Rambo, read 10 pages, scheduled content, reflected on my day in a journal, and logged my expenses. Everything was on track until I reached the most daunting task—calling the communication officer.
The Call That Shook Me
This was someone I had met a week earlier. She had shown interest in a potential collaboration and asked me to send a proposal, which I promptly did. But the thought of following up filled me with anxiety.
At 10:00 AM, I gathered my courage and dialed her number. The phone rang for what felt like an eternity. My hands were clammy, and my mouth dry. Finally, she answered, her tone sharp:
“Hello.”
I greeted her politely:
“Namaste, ma’am. This is Susan Chaudhary from Offline Thinker. We met last week, and I sent you a proposal for collaboration. Did you have a chance to review it?”
Her response was curt:
“I don’t know you.”
I tried to jog her memory:
“We discussed working together. You mentioned being positive about moving forward.”
She interrupted coldly:
“No, I haven’t seen it.”
With a flicker of hope, I asked:
“Would you mind reviewing it and letting me know your thoughts?”
Her final words stung:
“I don’t know. Goodbye.”
And she hung up.
The Aftermath
Her frosty demeanor haunted me for the rest of the day. I questioned myself repeatedly. Could I have handled the situation better? Was I too nervous? Did I fail to communicate effectively?
The call’s impact lingered for days. I lost focus at work, skipped meeting my friends, and left several tasks unfinished. I even drafted ten alternative responses I could’ve used, imagining different outcomes. The weight of that brief exchange consumed me.
The Lesson
Thirteen days later, with a clearer mind, I revisited that moment. Here’s what I realized: how you react matters.
The communication officer had a choice. She could have responded calmly and respectfully but chose otherwise. Her reactions didn’t just affect me—they left a lasting impression of her and her organization. It eroded trust and hope, tarnishing what could’ve been a positive collaboration.
This experience taught me an invaluable lesson:
Your reactions shape how others perceive you and the entities you represent. They can either build bridges or burn them.
Moving Forward
As I step into 2025, I’ve adopted a new resolution: React and respond with calmness and kindness, no matter the situation.
Because in the end, every interaction leaves a mark—choose to make it a positive one.
Read More From Susan Chaudhary:
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