Paula Henry goes "live" with quick and easy ideas for FALL DECORATING with grocery store finds.
I have had the good fortune to have cultivated a relationship with a local TV station. They refer to me as their “decorating diva” or “decorating guru” and have me on as a regular guest. Although I have been pushing to go on location and do some video-taped segments, every one we have done so far has been in their studio…live. This would include last Sunday’s segment.
My segment was about using grocery store purchases to decorate for fall (see photos in another post.) Lots of planning. Lots of preparation. Lots of schlepping. And, set-up. I was set up in the employee cafeteria as was the cooking segment which was to air after mine. Our mikes were checked, we knew who was standing where, how the camera would follow my lead and ready to go. Just a few seconds into it, the screen went BLACK and they immediately cut away to a commercial. Now, when you are watching commercials they seem like they are on for an eternity but not so when you are in crisis mode with technical difficulties and only have a couple minutes before going live again. I was standing there trying to stay calm while watching the chaos and listening to the reporter have a conversation into her ear piece. I remember hearing her say, “I am not doing this. If we lose our picture again it will be mighty embarrassing. I am not comfortable with this.”
Of course, it was all about me and all I could think about was how much time and effort had just gone out the window. Then I heard the plan. With literally 45 seconds, we had to make it to the news room to continue and hope for some video of my display. I told you we were in the employee cafeteria…on the ground level. We had to cover 2 flights of steps and get to the opposite side of the news room and seated at the desk…in 45 seconds! I am not a sprinter. I am not a jogger. In fact, I am not even a power walker. However, I really didn’t have a choice and there was no time to think about it. They said “RUN” and I ran! Guess what? I actually made it even though I felt like I was panting like a dog!
We continued the segment, I drew a complete blank about anything I had done (I was too worried about catching my breath) but with the guidance of the reporter, determination, and finally some video, we got through it. When we were finished, I knew for sure it was horrible. Especially when everyone in the studio was telling me how sorry they were.
I did not dwell on this. I knew there was nothing I could have done to avoid what had happened. I could only control how I dealt with it. I stayed calm, completed a sprint in record time, made it through the segment and was proud of what I had put together. I was also thankful. Thankful for the opportunity to be on TV. Thankful for the exposure and FREE advertising. Thankful to share inspiration with viewers. Thankful it was behind me. And, when I got home and watched it, I was thankful it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, under the circumstances, it wasn’t bad.
In our lives and in our businesses, we often encounter things we cannot control. The key is not to sweat what you can’t control but to control yourself and how you deal with what comes your way. Whether you are on live TV or sitting in a client’s living room, stay focused and positive, and you will have plenty to be thankful for too!
Paula A. Henry, ODSDP, IDP, CCP
Simply Put Interiors, Inc.
Creating the "WOW" factor one room at a time! CALL US FOR ALL OF YOUR DECORATING NEEDS!!
Voted Baltimore's Best Home Stager by Baltimore Magazine, August 2007!!!
(410) 252.9911
The Society of Decorating Professionals, Charter Certified Member