By Brenda T.

Once a week in the clinic, we have these brief Manager one-on-one check-ins, and the first question we are always asked to answer is, “My week will be successful if…” Prior to working here, I would have ranked that question right up there with “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” but since I took this job, my definition of success is not the same as it once was.

Before working here, I gauged my success by what I personally accomplished. Did I get all my notes in for each client? Did I balance the budget? Did I work enough hours this week to pay my bills?

While I have always strived to ensure a positive experience for my students, clients, and customers, I quickly remembered that helping others achieve success also makes one successful.                                                                                                                         

We arrive at the clinic every morning and set up for the day. We don’t know who will walk through the doors that day, the circumstances that brought them there, or even the mood they will be in. We do know that each of the women that we see will have their own reason. They will each see their need to be here as an obstacle to achieving their own success.

An obstacle is not a word many would attach to a pregnancy, and we can each list many reasons why pregnancy or having a child would be seen as an obstacle, but what we think doesn’t matter. What really matters is that each of those women felt they had a reason to sit in one of our chairs. And just as they trust us to take care of them while they are here, we must trust them to have given that decision a great deal of thought, discussed it with whomever they wanted, and made the right choice for themselves.

A Woman’s Choice will always work to help as many women as possible who want or need our services. We can say that every week will be successful when we respect those choices and honor the hopes and dreams of all the women who walk through our doors, helping them achieve their own success.