What you will learn in this episode: 

• Why unexpected situations can be opportunities

• The most validating moment that I’ve had in my career in countless years

• Why I continue to do renovation management

Today I wanted to share with you an experience I recently had. I was invited to talk at my daughter’s high school for career day.

In the past, I hadn’t felt there was any real value given to the students or myself, so was a little hesitant, but this time it was different. 

This time, I decided to look at it as an opportunity to practice speaking about what I do, which we all need to do more of! (I shared about this in my last Episode 108, Marketing 101 – How to Fill Your Pipeline with Renovation Projects)

There were three of us there who shared about our careers. There was a gentleman who was an investment banker, a horticulturist, and myself. It was interesting to hear all of our vastly different day-to-day lives we had. So this was also an opportunity to show what kind of lifestyle I am able to lead being an interior designer who manages renovation projects. 

I got to share with the students how I never do the same thing two days in a row. Even if I’m visiting job sites, job site A may be a bathroom, and we’re in demo. Job site B is a kitchen renovation, and we’re in the finishing stages. It is going to be an extremely different scenario each and every day. 

And then, the conversation took an unexpected turn when the question was asked, “Where do you see your career going from this point forward?”

And I thought that was such an interesting question! I’m not sure I’ve ever been asked that before. 

Now, why is this question important?

It’s important because I am just like you. I may have a lot of experience and may have been doing this for a long time, but I, too, get stuck with my head down in the business, trying to keep everything on track and working on the marketing for the next six months to a year.

I don’t take a lot of time to think beyond six months to a year. But when I answered, what came out felt like the most validating moment that I’ve had in my career in countless years. 

Last week a job site wasn’t going well. Literally, every day something was coming up. I was having thoughts that maybe this was my sign to stop doing this business and just focus on my mentorship and my podcast and go 100% all into them. But then I sat down with these students and was reminded of why I do what I do for a living, why I do renovation management. 

I don’t think I convinced anyone to become an interior designer while visiting my daughter’s school, but I do know that I convinced every single person in that room to think differently about our industry. And that is a huge win for me.  

Like this Episode?

• Be sure to check out Episode #98: 2nd Anniversary – How It Started and Where It’s Going

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