A few weeks ago, as I was preparing to get ready for my 2-week trip and multiple speaking engagements, I decided to get some new shirts.
Understand that I’m not a shopper (in general) and especially don’t like buying clothes for myself.
I went to Kohls and found this cool 60% off section for dress shirts. I found 4 or them that I really liked, tried one on to make sure I was picking the right size, and then bought all four.
I took them, still in their packaging, to my first hotel (in Dallas) where I unpacked and ironed them.
There was a problem with these very nice shirts, though. They are “fitted.” That means they are made for someone who has a body style with certain characteristics, most notably “goes in at the waist.” In other words, it goes in where I … um… go out 🙂
Fitted is NOT my style. It was uncomfortable for me during my presentations (but my schedule was so tight I didn’t have time to look for any shirts while on the road), and the way the shirts made me feel probably had a negative impact on my presentation.
THE FIT WASN’T GOOD.
How many times do we try and force a fit in our career? Maybe we think we can still fit into that industry, or that job, or with that boss, or that company?
But the FIT just isn’t good.
You can try and make it work but it will be uncomfortable for you (and possibly have an impact on your work). It will likely be uncomfortable for everyone around you.
I had two real options with my shirt. I could either (a) keep working out and eat better and hope that one day I fit into my fitted shirts, or (b) I could get rid of them (try and return them or give to a fitted friend :p).
I am choosing option (b). No reason to clutter my life and closet with the shirts when I can get a better fitting shirt that feels good and I’m comfortable in.
How about you? If your career doesn’t fit, how long do you live uncomfortably?