Old Keys Don’t Open New Locks

As a young lad about 10 years old, I remember taking a shortcut across a dirt parking lot. Something caught my eye, and I went over for a closer look. It was a skeleton key. I brushed off the dirt and held it for a few moments in the palm of my hand. I knew what it was, and I knew it was rare.

I popped it into my pocket to show my parents. They suggested that I keep it as a good luck charm. So that’s what I did for many years until I too, lost it. My only consolation was that another youngster would find his soon-to-be lucky charm.

Over the years, I think back to that treasure. Then, just recently, I came across an expression that became the title for this Blog.

I’m drawn towards ‘bumper sticker’ phrasing – short sayings that offer profound messages.

Without knowing it, years ago, I applied this message to a significant job application I had made.

I was at a crossroads in my working career. After 17 years with the same employer, I knew I needed to move on at 56 years of age. It was the first application I had made in almost two decades. Towards the end of the interview, I felt I was dancing with the head hunter. I sort of knew what she was after, and I knew I wasn’t explaining myself clearly.

The next day, I received a call from the interviewer, who informed me I was unsuccessful. She then spent 45 minutes coaching me on targeting a slightly different type of position.

I accepted her advice, clarified what I should be searching for and quickly found a position that met my new criteria.

I did well, got the position, and stayed in it for a happy 13 years until I moved on to more personal passions.

Looking back, my original approach to answering the question didn’t work. During the phone call the next day, I realized that I could have switched gears. I don’t think we were very far apart in terms of who I was and what they were looking for. But my old skeleton key didn’t open the new lock for me.

In some ways, time had passed me by.

However, I resolved to cut a new key that would better present my style and strengths. This opened a very new lock that I had never considered trying to open.

Please give this a bit of a think. What is something you tried that was not successful? Then, you worked at a new approach and found something better. It was meant to be.

I’m curious about your thoughts. Please share your bit of a think in the comment section below. It will come to me for approval before posting.

Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash

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glenn.walmsley@icloud.com