This Will Make You Feel Official
Sometimes you just need a prop
When I was 21 years old and a senior in college, I developed a deep interest in children’s museums. I had lined up my first job after graduation at the Providence Children’s Museum and couldn’t wait to begin.
My then boyfriend, Ben, was totally onboard with my new obsession—we planned a spring break road trip up the east coast, where we’d hit every children’s museum (for me) and roller coaster (for him) that we passed. Yup, we were true nerds. 🤓
Our voyage began at his family home near St. Petersburg, Florida. As we left the house to tour our first children’s museum, I had a sudden shaky thought: How do I explain that I’m a grown-up without kids who doesn’t-yet-but-almost-has a job at a museum and I want to…I guess…check it out...for free?
Ben’s mom, who remains one of the most fun and wise people I’ve ever known, said simply: “That’s easy.” She disappeared into her home office and returned with a black planner folio.
“Tuck this under your arm and you’ll feel official,” she said. “Sometimes you just need a prop.”
A prop can give you the confidence to walk into a new space with your head held high, or help a gatekeeper take you seriously.
I declare war
I was thinking about that planner folio—and how a good prop at the right time can help us in our careers—just last week.
I had a looming deadline to complete a piece of writing that felt big and intimidating to me. I remembered another key prop from my career: a green army helmet.
In my 20's, whenever I sat down to write a cover letter for a job application, I would put on that army helmet and “declare war” on my assignment. Something about wearing that silly hat helped me to feel courageous and decisive enough to get it done.
I lost the army helmet somewhere along the way, but I sure could have used that prop last week!
Sometimes a prop can help you channel and bring out a part of yourself—like the grit to get through a tough assignment.
You never know
I took a Lyft ride recently with a driver who kept a pair of drumsticks in his cup holder.
He told me that when he doesn’t have a passenger, he practices on the steering wheel as he cruises the city.
Otherwise, his prop helps as a conversation starter.
“You never know who’s going to need a ride,” he explained. “Maybe someone who will be my band’s ticket to a tour.”
Props can help you start a conversation and open up new opportunities.
Closing socks
My friend Dave is a real estate agent. He’s totally made for it—warm, fun, and down to earth. He posts on Facebook all the time about a key prop from his work life: closing socks.
When I asked him about what closing socks are, he responded: “The opposite of opening socks, of course!” Typical Dave! 🤦🏽♀️
His second answer: “They're fun socks that I wear on the day of a closing. I mean, I wear funny socks every day regardless—but on closing day I show them off because I think it's funny.”
Dave wears his closing socks to show who he authentically is—
They're very "on brand" for him.
"I take a stressful process and make it fun," he explains. "The socks are stupid and dorky. But because I'm the fun guy, who of course is also professional, having something a little wacky validates who I am."
Sometimes a prop can help you show other people who you truly are.
Bring it back to the heart of it all
All of my clients get a prop as a gift from me when we wrap up our coaching together: a card that names their core values.
I hope that they display it in a prominent place—like at their desk, where it's always within sight.
This prop serves to remind them of who they are, to serve as a guide when they're feeling lost, and to bring them back to what they stand for.
Sometimes a prop can be a tool to ground you.
💡 So, if you're needing a little extra somethin' somethin' at work—whether it's courage or grit, a conversation starter or a beacon of your authenticity—take a look around and see if there's a prop that can help.
