I watched a video yesterday that asked 50 people, “What is your biggest regret?” it got me thinking about choices, regrets, and the life changing moments I’ve had.
There have been many moments during the course of my life that I would consider life-changing. Everything from education, to tech, to meetings, etc. Some of them, though, turn out to change everything.
I know we’ve all had them. Some good, some bad. Here are three I consider the biggest in my journey so far.
- Meeting Jason Harnell at Mario’s Music in 1996.
Jason was my drum instructor for 5 years. He taught me so much of what I know about the instrument, and he really fueled my love of the craft into a passion. Before we met, drums was a fun thing I really enjoyed, but he was a great teacher and was able to really push me to be the best I could be.
- Tough words from Randy Roberts in 2002.
Three months in my career at Guitar Center, things were not going so well. I had no prior sales experience, and am an introvert. Not a good combo. My long time friend Randy pulled me aside one day and told me, “Look, a lot of guys put in the good word for you getting this job. We know you can do it. We know you can sell. Don’t let us down.”
I will never forget those words from him. It gave me the drive to succeed and helped me on the career path I’m on today. November will be ten years since I first started with Guitar Center, and I’ve worked in five different stores, held multiple positions from salesperson to Operations Manager, and am now Communications Manager for the company working out of the Support Center.
I’m thankful to Randy Roberts for all he did for me. My life would not be the same without him.
- Hiring Door Staff in 2004.
At this point in my GC career, two years have gone by, and I’m now Assistant Manager of the Palmdale store. I was tasked with finding and hiring a new front door person, so I reached out to my ex-girlfriend, who I was still on good terms with. She turned it down.
My next offer was to her friend, Breanne Bradshaw, who was looking for part time work while she finished beauty school. She almost turned it down, but said yes in the end and we hired her. A year and a half later, Breanne Bradshaw became Breanne Blanchard.
I sometimes wonder what my life would look like if I hadn’t offered her that job. We wouldn’t have spent so much time getting to know each other at work. We wouldn’t have spent so much time getting to know each other outside of work. Would we be married? Would we have the two beautiful children we have? I don’t know.
One thing I do know, I’m glad she took the job.
Those are my top three life changing moments. What are yours?
