I was a kid who wanted to play professional basketball, direct Hollywood films, travel the world taking photos of half-naked women, and revolutionize the world of in-home dining.
At some point, I had to put on the grown up costume.
I left business school totally unsure of how I’d fit in the harsh world of business. I was more interested in company culture, supporting creatives, and helping businesses to delight customers.
At some point, I had to put on a business-person’s costume.
My marriage came to an end, I had to go out and figure out how to be single again.
I had to put on my everything’s fine costume.
In each of these cases, I didn’t want to wear the costume. I didn’t want to fake it. But in each case, it’s what I needed to do to get where I wanted to go.
We all wear costumes at times.
Sometimes we’re battling our inner fears. Other times, we have to overcome perceptions.
It’s not that there’s anything inherently wrong with wearing a costume, just don’t forget who you were before you put it on.