Who is Miranda Priestly you ask? Who. Is. Miranda?! — First, me get this out of the way: Yeaaaahhh I know it’s been a while since I’ve updated whats been going on Under this Brim. Forgive me, I have taken on a new challenge….school. Mommy always says ‘You are never to old to learn or never to young to teach’…lies. There are differences in adult learning and the youth learning…but we’ll whip out our course notes from WhereEver University & commiserate on that subject later.

Let’s learn a thing or two from one of my fave movies….The Devil Wears Prada. This movie is about 10 years old and I can tell you that the one liners are still used today. In summary Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) is an icon revered in the fashion industry. Her new assistant Andrea (Ann Hathaway) has much more to learn other than what Miranda wanted for lunch…If you have not seen it go see the movie, come back and tell me I’m wrong. If you are an Miranda Priestly fan….you will want to get your snack, take notes and read on.

1. Staying on top takes sacrifice. On the surface it looks like the fierce Miranda Priestly has it all: the fashion industry both respect and fear her, closet(s) full of clothes by designers she knows personally and who will kill a line if she doesn’t give it a nod,  a ridiculous salary, twins that she can parent without having to see, and a knowing relationship with the chef at Smith and Wollensky (her steak for lunch place). These things are certainly enviable but to whom much is given – much is required. The intense sacrifices that she has to make for these perks and benefits are not for the faint at hart. Who knows, these tough sacrifices might be totally worth it….or are they?
2. I get by with a little help from my friendsThere is plenty of truth to the expression, it’s not what you know…it’s who you know. My friends are supporters, motivators, mentors, accountability partners, prayers warriors and a shoulder to cry on. Andrea is fresh out of college and clearly cannot keep up with the uber designer wardrobe co-workers at Runway Magazine. Ahhhhh thank goodness for the fiercely fabulous Nigel who not only becomes her friend….but offers the greatest gift any fashionista in the making could ask for: access to the designer sample closet for free Chanel (did you just drool a little?). Andrea gets by with a little help from her friends.

   3. Ladies – His support is invaluable – there is enough doubt out there. Don’t give up your career for him.

   Adrian was Amanda’s boyfriend who kept trying to get her to quit her job. Honestly? A first job straight out of college usually sucks and quitting solves nothing! Instead of succumbing to his pressure, she pulls up her Big Girls and steps it up at work and eventually earns Miranda Priestley’s trust. Ladies, we only get so many opportunities where our work prowess is recognized. The man by your side should want the two of you to be a dynamic duo. He is pushing, encouraging, supporting and pressing you forward. He (or for the fellas – she) is listening when you’re down and celebrating with you when your up helping in the next step and reaching your ultimate goal. There is enough doubt out there, he shouldn’t be part of Critic Squad NaySayers (and neither should you)

There you have it!  Some learnings from an iconic wonder – the Devil Wears Prada. Are you willing to sacrifice it all to be Miranda Priestly in  your field or have you finessed your way from the quirky assistant to confidant as Amanda & if you have, will you stay complacent there (we’ll talk about that later too). Whoever you are – find that balance to meet your goals, make sure your ‘cloud of witnesses’ are there to support you (especially the other half of your dynamic duo). Most importantly, have unapologetic boldness and faith in yourself, who you are, what you can do and how you can do it. The job worth
taking is the one that scares the hell out of you as you look out from your office….from Under Your Brim.