I was shopping at Anne Taylor Loft a few months ago. As it’s my ritual in every store I enter, I first walked over to the sale rack to see what bargains I might be able to find. The rack was pretty picked over, but hiding behind two other pairs of pants was an awesome pair of jeans. I excitedly noticed that the size was right so I reached for the price tag. According to the ticket, these awesome jeans were just $8.00! Feeling an adrenaline rush, I made my way to the dressing room to see if they would actually fit. As I hurriedly pulled them up, it dawned on me that I had just come across the bargain of a lifetime. They fit perfectly and I was overjoyed!
As I carried them to the counter to make my purchase, I began contemplating what I was going to wear them with and when my find would be unveiled. I handed them over to the sales clerk and she looked at the price tag and then back at me. She rang them up and then said “You realize that these are not returnable because they’re only $2.88. Do you still want them?“ I looked at her incredulously and asked if she was sure about the price. Apparently, the jeans had missed a markdown on the ticket and then received another discount when it was rung up on the register.
Yes, it’s true— I paid $2.88 for my awesome jeans and I thoroughly enjoy them on a regular basis. The same goes for my all-time favorite blazer that I bought at Kohls Department Store. I rarely see anything on their sale rack that appeals to me, but that didn’t stop me from searching through all the clothes on the day my blazer turned up. That day, I hit the lottery. My fabulous blazer, which always gets me loads of compliments, cost me only $6.00.
At this point, I think it’s important for me to share my philosophy about shopping; you never know where you’re going to find the perfect purchase. I never discriminate or judge any store I come across before I walk into their door. Frankly, I treat Goodwill and Wal-Mart exactly the same way I treat Nordstrom’s sale rack. You know why? Because you never know what treasures you might find hiding.
Are you wondering why I’m sharing this story about shopping in the first place? It’s because I believe that my approach to shopping is an analogy to being successful in many parts of your life. For example, if you want to be successful in business, you need to be open and nonjudgmental to every person that comes your way. You really have no idea how that person might impact your life and help you get closer to your goals. You truly don’t know where that next big sale is going to come from. Don’t lose out on an opportunity because you judge the situation without having all the facts.
If you’re single and desire a relationship, don’t fall into the trap of not being open to opportunities before you’ve given them a chance. Allow yourself to be open to new situations and new people. You just never know where that perfect individual is hiding. Don’t make a rash judgment about where you should meet someone or what is acceptable in a partner and lose out on the love of a lifetime or a fabulous new friend.
The bottom line is this; treat each person you come across in life with the same level of kindness, respect and authenticity, no matter what you have to gain from the situation. And if you want to achieve your dreams in life, don’t judge a book by its cover.
