How PR is like learning to
hike in a pair of heels
I’m not sure about the rest of you but when I chose the PR path, I
was under the (false) impression that it was going to be cobbled with fancy
pants parties, a whole bunch of freebies from luxury clients and an income that
would mean Dior and Dolce would immediately become mere staples in a wardrobe
decked out in designer threads.
Well, suffice to say, I was quickly shaken out of the Tree of
Grandeur Illusion, thrust onto the road to reality and sent on my merry way.
During the time I’ve spent in the PR industry, I find myself at
times likening it to what one could fathom it’s like learning to hike in a pair
of heels; the journey has had its metaphorical moments of teetering, toppling
and twisting ankles but you’re still always able to find a way to stand up,
brush yourself off and continue to strut to the peak like a boss.
Both take some time to get
used to
PR and hiking in heels are two things that can’t be solely taught
from a textbook. It’s not like mathematics where 1+1 always equals two. So much
of the skills required to achieve success can only be acquired by learning on
your feet (pun totally intended) as you go. There will be moments where you’ll
wonder why you thought it was worth it, but then a switch will flip and you
won’t remember how you ever felt like it was anything less than second nature.
Both can (and will) be
painful at some stage
During the journey, you will occasionally stumble upon instances that
are more demanding or challenging than others. You may want to cry or quit or curl
up with a tub of ice cream and host a one-person pity party but your survival
instincts will kick in and you’ll fight through whatever ailment is troubling
you, be it burn out or blisters. So grit your teeth, smack a smile on your dial
and keep on keeping on; you’ll soon see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Both will see you fall
into a couple of pits and potholes
Falling on your face at some stage is a given but it’s about how you
react to the stack that matters; you can either bounce up or break down. As the
Japanese proverb goes, “fall seven times, get up eight times.” Use mistakes and
stumbling blocks to better learn how to navigate around potential hazards and
more successfully mitigate similar risks in the road. Because, trust me, you
won’t topple down the same ditch twice.
Both will toughen you up
and test your resolve
Developing true character, compassion and genuine appreciation for
success (and for life in general) doesn’t come from easy wins or by triumphing
in a one-man race; they come from being pushed to your absolute limits and prevailing
even though it sometimes seemed like everything was against you. If people tell
you your dreams or ideas are impossible to achieve, go drink a cup of concrete
(figuratively speaking, of course), harden your resolve and just prove them
wrong. Not only will they appreciate
your tenacity; they outcome will be nothing but beneficial to your own
development.
Both will make success
seem sweeter than you could ever have predicted
When you land that massive account you’ve put your entire soul into
winning or you secure a game-changing chunk of coverage for a client, every
single second you put into reaching that pinnacle will be worth its weight in positivity,
pride and praise. You may be exhausted to the point of delirium but you will
find whatever small speck of energy remains to kick up those same heels you’ve
learnt how to hike up hills in so damn well.
