Pam Beesly, arguably the world's greatest office receptionist, is my inspiration. If there is one strikingly significant thing I have learned from Pam Beesly, it is that life moves too fast to live with regrets. If you are not happy with the way things are in your life, don't be afraid to change things for the better. Apply for that highly sought out internship, speak your mind even if your heart is racing and you're running on adrenaline and walk on hot coals if that's what it takes!
Warning: major "The Office" spoilers ahead.
Pam first inspired me when she said, "I don't think it's every girl's dream to be a receptionist." There is nothing wrong with that job position, but if you know you can aim higher and challenge yourself, then apply for your dream job! When I applied for my first real job, I had had no prior job experience besides babysitting and local volunteering. I looked at my depressing resume and told myself that's what I had to work with, and I walked into my interview confidently and with ease. I had the scene when Pam courageously walked on hot coals in my mind for inspiration. After that scene, Pam walked up to her colleagues and spoke what was on her mind. In my interview, I was brutally honest and explained that while I did not have any prior job experience, I was well versed in Spanish and could talk with Spanish speaking patrons. I was also ready to use my communication skills to reach out to people.
Even when things weren't going the way she planned, and she had to have her mom move in with her to take care of her kids while her husband, Jim, was working and living in another part of the state, she mentally compromised with herself before saying how she actually felt. I remember being so upset at her because she waited too long to tell her significant other their living situation was tough, and it seemed like he was continuing on in life without her by his side. I thought about this before applying it to my life. There have been many times in the past when I have let something bother me because I was too anxious about how the other person would react. I just let all that tension build up inside before, but now, I wait less. I think about what I want to say, and then say it quickly — this way I say it before I regret not having ever said it.
Pam was in her mid-30s when she realized the contents of her resume could fit on a post-it note because she stayed in one place for too long. Life is too short to settle and not live to our full potential.
