(This is one that, perhaps unsurprisingly, didn’t get published. Instead it got me a telling off from the editor. Ho hum.)
“THIS is going to be the most important day of your life.”
The first time I heard that phrase, it was a school teacher talking to me about an upcoming SAT exam. I was 11 years old.
Despite my age, I remember thinking that was a pretty laughable thing to say. I don’t remember my SAT scores.
The other week I heard it again. This time it was from a journalism trainer about my pending newspaper exams.
Funnily enough, those are the only two times those lines have been uttered to me.
Both left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
I could be wrong… but I don’t think so.
Don’t misunderstand, I’m going to give these exams my best shot but unless I’m hit by some kind of epiphany during the test, I don’t think “most important day” is going to cut it.
What happened to my wedding day, the birth of my children… you know the rest.
But if this sounds like an angry rant, it’s not.
I guess I’m intrigued as to why someone would say this.
If it’s genuine then fair play. If it’s not, then it’s a pretty weak motivator.
I suppose it could come down to the whole live to work or work to live thing. Either’s fine, but one’s definitely not for me.
I did call the trainer out on her comment. She replied “Okay, it might not be the most important day of your personal life but certainly of your professional life.”
I’m kind of hoping that’s not the case. I don’t want to peak at 26.
For anyone who thinks this is a petty column, I’ve been thinking about this for over a week. I nearly didn’t write about it, but what’s the point in having a column if you’re not going to be honest and upfront?
At least I won’t shy away from letting you know if I have that life-altering moment.
