You don’t have to open the meeting telling the story of fighting traffic, running two blocks, and barely arriving on time.

You don’t have to start the appointment explaining your terrible night’s sleep.

You don’t have to begin the lecture by saying you’re nervous and feeling a little scattered.

Introductions of this sort are meant to lower expectations. To prepare others for a lesser-than experience.

You don’t have to do that.

What you can do instead, is take a deep breath. And again.

You can put the arrival stress — and its associated story — behind you.

Focus on the work at hand, not on the obstacles you’ve recently overcome.

Allow yourself to mentally transition … and then begin fresh, as you had intended.