Let’s save this for a special occasion
Lucia Paredes
DMU Career Advisor | Career Development Coach for Creative, Media and Higher Education | Marketing @ Universal Pictures, Disney, Sony Pictures
How getting into my aunty’s wardrobe and use her favourite bag taught me a timely lesson, and why you may want to learn from it too.
I’ll paint the picture for you.
The year: 2000
I’m fresh to Uni. Hopes high, excitement.
I’ve been attending campus a few months and, as every 18 year old does, I wanted to look cool, trendy, fashionable.
Scrap those Reebok school bags (anybody from the 80’s knows what I mean), we are talking cool bags. Big girl bags. I mean business and I am creative bags.
And I suddenly remember my aunty Blanca has a very VERY cool bag that she has never used, because she was saving it for a special occasion.
I think of nothing more special than her favourite niece (I gave myself that title, I lived with her after all so has to be!), so I dig into her closet, get the bag out, get my books in and off I go.
And then….heaven breaks!
HOW COULD I DONE THAT?!?! HER BAG! HER SPECIAL BAG!
(She.was.not.impressed. In fairness, she has a very valid point….but let’s not get into the technicalities of that ??)
Point was, as special as that bag was to her, it was collecting dust and would have never seen the light of the day I had not used it.
(Cue learning here…)
And the same goes for many things we do in life, precious, wonderful things, that completely loose their point and value because we never dare to do / use them.
I am sure you can think of a few right now.
The opportunities missed because you never dared to go for them (too precious, too good….)
The titles and degrees you collect because it’ll look good on paper, but you may never use them.
The ideas you have, but keep to yourself because you fear they won’t be good enough.
The conversations you don’t start because why on earth would they want to talk to you.
Well I’m here to say: STOP IT. Enough is enough.
You are good.
In fact I dare to say you are great.
And if you don’t raise your voice, look up and stare out your window and start imagining where do you want to be and head towards nobody else will.
It’s your life, your career, so you better start acting like you care about it.
You do?
Great, then let’s get to business here:
Get in the wardrobe, dust off the bag my friend.
You are the special occasion.
Fancy talking to me about this?: [email protected]
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About me:
I help mid to senior-level corporate professionals who feel stuck or unfulfilled in their careers reconnect with their passion and gain clarity on their next steps. Through a holistic coaching approach, I empower my clients to break free from limiting mindsets, make bold career moves, and align their work with their true purpose. Whether it’s negotiating a promotion, finding a new career path, or reigniting passion in their current role, I guide them towards a happier and more fulfilling professional life.
Designer and founder at ‘The View From My Rear’ where luxury bags don’t have to be plain! Handcrafted in London, slow-fashion, made-to-order, leather bags and accessories in funky, themed print designs.
3 个月Absolutely! In 1982 in year 2 of my first job, I had the idea of suggesting to my London-based residential development employer that we might think of partnering with a well-known interior design brand. How novel might that be?! - and then the nagging voice of doubt persuaded me that it was a stupid idea and I erred. By the mid 80s several others had done just that and were being applauded for it. I’ve never listened to that voice since. (Nice that you’ve used the bag analogy! I use my special bags every day!??)