1994: Dear Coleen Goggins, When you start crashing cars, it’s time to slow down

Dear Colleen,

Between 1993 and 1995 I was Market Manager levels below your role.  As it turned out, we were both early morning gym regulars and I had the gift of extra time and mentorship- often at the crack of dawn, in a locker room while we scrambled to get through our morning ritual before a busy work day.

I admired your intellect, leadership skill and the very high standard you set for everything from impeccable monthly communication of business performance to first rate marketing plan execution.  It was great to have the example of a highly successful, competitive and creative woman to look up to at a time when representation at the top was thin to non- existent.

One early morning you explained that you had a bell weather, canary in the coalmine signal to be sure your life remained in some kind of reasonable balance.  Apparently, you periodically were so up against it and over tired that you would have minor car mishaps- never resulting in injury to you or others, but just the “shoot I crashed into that pillar in my garage again” kind of mishap.  Turns out mine is dental problems.

Thanks for your example of remarkable dedication AND example of some well-timed self-care when needed.  

Gratefully,

Ann Simonds

Aka Ann Hoagland

aka Annie Hoagland