I moved to London when I was 24, believing the world was my oyster.

I actually felt like a pearl myself.

My dream was to work with international marketing, and there I was – eager to work hard and offer my potential to the world.

Imagine my astonishment when after countless resume submissions to recruitment agencies I didn’t get bombarded with invitations for interviews!

I discovered Lithuanians were classified as Eastern Europeans.
To my surprise as we have a monument to the geographical center of Europe there.

I also experienced “Eastern” being regarded as inferior to “Western”.

One day I got invited for an interview at a recruitment agency.

When the Not-Very-Nice-Lady with a beautiful French accent finished interviewing me, she looked me in the eyes and said:

“Let’s face the reality here. You will NEVER get a job in marketing.”

Ehhh???

And as if that was not interesting enough, she added:

“Go to the store across the street that sells men’s shirts and talk to a blond girl from your country. That’s where PEOPLE LIKE YOU should work.”

I had a Master’s, major in marketing, some work experience, and spoke several languages. I also had a brain, an aptitude to learn, and likely quite a bit of life ahead of me.

Speechless I went to the store.

I talked to the lovely girl, who enjoyed working there.

Although it wasn’t the job I wanted, I asked if they were accepting applications. They were not.

Walking home, I couldn’t stop thinking about the recruiter’s words.

Was she right?
Will I never get a job in marketing?
Should I give up?

I called my boyfriend and he advised me to believe in myself and in getting the job I want.

I chose to believe that.

A few months later, I got my dream job and started working for a global marketing agency.

People offer us thoughts about ourselves.

Often we accept them as truth without questioning, even though it’s just another person’s opinion.

Some thoughts might serve us, and some don’t.

The good news – we can change our beliefs!

It’s worth being aware of what you think about yourself and what you choose to believe: “I’m a person who…”, “I never/ always…“ – believe or discard?