| "Things may come to those who wait, but only | | | | each other. Let's go around the room and |
| the things left by those who hustle."-Abraham | | | | everyone say their name and what they do for |
| Lincoln | | | | a living." I am amazed-we're doing "Round |
| | | | Robin" (30-second commercial introduction) on |
| Eek. The dreadful Jury Duty Summons arrives | | | | jury duty! So when it was my turn, I said, |
| in the mail again. I'm all for the jury | | | | "I'm Chellie Campbell and I treat money |
| system, mind you, but those of us who aren't | | | | disorders-spending bulimia and income |
| on corporate payrolls don't get a paycheck | | | | anorexia." There was a shout of laughter at |
| during the time we serve. Oh, well, "one day | | | | that, and I held up my book (always prepared |
| or one trial" isn't so bad. I am ready to do | | | | for book promotion, I always have a copy of |
| my civic duty. I believe in our government | | | | my book with me) and said, "I'm also the |
| and the trial-by-jury-of-our-peers system. | | | | author of the book 'The Wealthy Spirit'". I |
| If a case of mine were being tried, wouldn't | | | | sold five books! |
| I want me to be on the jury? My mood | | | | |
| improved, I call in on the appointed day and | | | | Later that afternoon, my networking paid off |
| receive instructions to show up Monday. | | | | again, when one of the attorneys said that an |
| | | | attorney named Lorraine was going to give |
| I mentioned this to my family the day before | | | | testimony in the trial the next day. I know |
| at our family gathering for Mother's Day. My | | | | Lorraine from networking! I raised my hand |
| niece's new mother-in-law, Kathleen, perked | | | | immediately; "Judge, I have a conflict. I |
| up and said, "You're going to be on jury duty | | | | know one of the people giving testimony in |
| this week? I'm going to give a speech to the | | | | this case." He called me over to a sidebar, |
| jury pool tomorrow at ten o'clock!" What a | | | | where I explained to him and the attorneys |
| coincidence! She works for the Superior | | | | that Lorraine is a friend of mine. "How well |
| Court as the Managing Attorney for the | | | | do you know her?" he inquired. I said, "We |
| Self-Help Management Project, and she told me | | | | were on the Board of Directors of National |
| that the coming week was "Jury Appreciation | | | | Association of Women Business Owners for five |
| Week". (Wouldn't you know that would be my | | | | years" (more networking paying off). When |
| week? We got free coffee and donuts, too. | | | | he inquired if that would affect my judgment |
| Hah!) | | | | in the case, and I shrugged and said |
| | | | honestly, "I'm going to believe anything she |
| So I drove to the Superior Courthouse | | | | says." He said, "You're excused." |
| downtown Los Angeles at the wee hour of 7:00 | | | | |
| am (if this is not a wee hour to you, | | | | I called Lorraine that afternoon to thank her |
| remember I work nights). I ate my coffee and | | | | for my "Get-Out-Of-Jury-Duty-Free" card. We |
| donut, listened to Kathleen's speech, and | | | | had a good laugh over it, too! |
| waited to be assigned to a jury panel. I | | | | |
| looked around to see if I recognized anybody | | | | You never know when networking is going to |
| in the room, and sure enough, there sat Amy | | | | pay off. I've sold my book to telemarketers |
| Brennerman, star of the TV show "Judging | | | | who called to sell me something. I bought a |
| Amy". They don't let anybody off any more; | | | | ring watch off the internet, and the seller |
| even movie stars have to serve. | | | | wrote me a cheerful note, so I wrote her back |
| | | | and suggested she might enjoy my book. She |
| Finally, I was selected for a panel, and the | | | | emailed me an hour later: "Chellie, I just |
| jury selection process began. This trial was | | | | went in and read a few of the pages on Amazon |
| about two businessmen who had a contractual | | | | - WHAT A GREAT BOOK!!!! I'm going to buy it |
| disagreement over the purchase of an office | | | | and I think I'll get one for my son too - NO, |
| building and we were told it would take two | | | | I KNOW I'll get one for my son too, lol. |
| weeks. Two weeks?! Ouch! What happened to | | | | Thanks so much, Elaine, Glitz Galore." |
| the one-day thing? I made a plea that as a | | | | |
| small business owner it's difficult to take | | | | Now, isn't that fun? You never know what |
| that much time off, but the judge smiles and | | | | dolphins are swimming out there unless you |
| shakes his head and says, "We really need you | | | | reach out and share a bit of yourself along |
| on this trial." | | | | the way. Why not strike up a conversation |
| | | | today with someone new-you may be surprised |
| Day Two: The jury selection process | | | | what happens, but it'll be good! |
| continued as the attorneys questioned | | | | |
| prospective jurors. Then the judge said, "It | | | | Today's Affirmation: "I love people and they |
| would be nice for all of us to get to know | | | | love me back! |