Why Believing You Belong Matters: Lessons from a Louis Vuitton Store
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The Memory of a Louis Vuitton Store
Recently, while I was in Vegas, I walked past the same Louis Vuitton store at Caesars that I once visited in college. This store holds a lot of meaning for me, not because of the brand itself, but because of what that moment symbolized. Let me share the story with you.
Years ago, I was dating a girl from an affluent family. For a long time, I believed that I needed to achieve some sort of financial success to earn her love. I had it in my mind that buying her this particular Louis Vuitton purse was the way to do that. The purse wasn’t a request from her, but it became this symbolic goal for me, a misguided attempt to prove my worth.
I was selling rap CDs at the time and saving up every penny for that purse. When I finally had enough, I planned a surprise trip to Las Vegas and took her to that store. I remember being incredibly nervous walking into that high-end store for the first time, convinced that this was a place only for “rich people.”
After a minor hiccup where my card got declined due to suspected fraud, the transaction was finally approved. They handed me the bag, and I felt like I had made it. I remember thinking, I belong here. That purchase, that moment, wasn’t really about her; it was about proving something to myself.
Appreciating Genuine Love
One of the most crucial lessons I took away from that experience is the importance of appreciating the people who love you for who you truly are, not for what you can give them. If someone requires you to earn their love through actions or material gestures, that love isn’t genuine. True friends and partners value you for you—not for your job title, wealth, or status.
Reflect on the relationships in your life. Are you surrounding yourself with people who care about you genuinely, or are you working hard to earn love and acceptance from those who only see your surface-level achievements?
Action Step: Assess Your Relationships
- Identify Authentic Connections: Write down a list of people in your life who love and support you unconditionally. These are the people who value your character, not your achievements.
- Cut Toxic Ties: If you’re constantly feeling like you have to earn someone’s acceptance, consider distancing yourself from them.
You Belong in Any Room You Feel You Belong In
Another powerful takeaway from my Louis Vuitton experience was the realization that I could belong in rooms that once seemed off-limits. So often, we create self-imposed limitations, convincing ourselves that we don’t belong with the “big wigs” or the C-suite execs. The truth is, the only thing keeping us from those rooms is our own belief that we don’t deserve to be there.
To make a seat for yourself at the table, you have to first start believing you deserve to be there. It’s not about arrogance, but about acknowledging the work you’ve put in and knowing you’re worthy of great things.
Action Step: Build Confidence in Yourself
- Daily Affirmation: Stand in front of the mirror and say, “I belong in every room that values hard work and dedication.”
- Walk Into New Rooms: Identify a space or opportunity that scares you and walk into it with confidence, knowing you’ve earned your place.
Clarity Leads to Success
When I was saving for that purse, I had one clear goal. I knew the exact amount I needed, down to the last penny. That clarity is what got me through months of selling CDs to save up the money. Without that crystal-clear target, I probably wouldn’t have achieved it.
Too often, we tell ourselves, “One day, I want to achieve this.” But until you get specific about your goals, that “one day” will always remain in the future.
Action Step: Define Your Goals Clearly
- Write It Down: Clearly define a major goal in detail. What exactly do you want to achieve, and what are the specific steps to get there?
- Track Progress: Break down your goal into milestones and celebrate each one.
Prove It to Yourself, Not to Others
At the time, I thought I was proving something to her, but in reality, it was a lesson for me. I needed to prove to myself that I could set a goal, work hard, and achieve it. That realization was powerful because proving things to yourself builds momentum.
People often ask me how to get motivated. I always tell them it doesn’t work like that. You start by moving—action creates momentum, which then leads to the results you seek. Motivation isn’t something you wait for; it’s something you create through movement.
Action Step: Start Moving Toward Your Goal
- Take the First Step: Identify a small action you can take today toward your goal.
- Build Momentum: Commit to consistent, small actions every day.
When Things Don’t Work Out
Her and I didn’t work out in the end, but looking back, I see that as a blessing. Sometimes, the things that don’t work out in life are exactly what needed to happen. We have to stop viewing situations that don’t go as planned as failures. Often, they’re stepping stones to the things that are truly meant for us.
When things don’t work out, it doesn’t mean you’re not capable or deserving. It simply means that there’s something better or different waiting for you.
Action Step: Embrace Life’s Uncertainties
- Reframe Setbacks: Reflect on past setbacks and consider how they set you up for future opportunities.
- Stay Open to Change: Keep an open mind about what “success” could look like.
You can book Baylor Barbee to speak at Book Baylor or check out my 10-minute-a-day podcast, Shark Theory, here. Mindset Matters: Let's make yours unstoppable.