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- My name is Simon Doonan.

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I'm a writer, I've worked in retail,

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I've been a window
dresser, I've worn drag.

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You name it, I've done it.

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(frantic jazz music)

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My career trajectory is
sort of wacky and eccentric.

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My first job was in a bottle top factory.

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I was 16 years old

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and somehow I managed to
claw my way into college

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from that position

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and actually ended up working in retail.

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And then I managed to claw my way

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into an entry-level window
dressing job at Aquascutum.

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And from then, I got
another job and another job

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and bit by bit,

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I got more experience
in the world of display

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and then I got my job at Barney's in 1985

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and moved to New York

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and I've been with Barney's ever since.

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(upbeat electronic music)

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Sometimes when I'm talking
to much younger people,

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they don't know what I'm talking about.

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They don't believe I worked
in a bottle top factory.

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They don't believe the serendipity

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of just blundering along in your 20s

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and the focus being on
your fun and your friends

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and that you wouldn't
have some master plan.

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I think I only got serious
about 33 or something like that.

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I need to get a job where
I have medical insurance

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and become a grown up.

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(calm folk music)

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When I was given more
responsibility at Barney's,

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I think my attitude was
I'm going to shit my pants,

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I'm gonna fuck all this up,

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unless I'm very serious about it.

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So I was incredibly diligent

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and I asked a tremendous
number of questions.

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So I never took anything for granted.

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I never thought they're so
lucky to have fabulous me.

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I thought I can't believe they hired me.

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If you find that you're
feeling very negative

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and you think you've
got imposter syndrome,

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start focusing on the work.

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Stop thinking about your own psyche

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and your own psychodrama.

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Focus on what's in front
of you, the project,

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how to achieve goals.

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When people ask me for advice,

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I always say show up 10 minutes early

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and leave 10 minutes late

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and say yes to everything.

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That's that I always did
when I was in a new job

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because I just thought (groaning)

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I have to really throw myself into it.

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Enthusiasm.

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Everyone loves enthusiasm.

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(cheerful music)

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I think the important thing
is in your 20s is sophomoric.

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You should blunder around,
make lots of mistakes,

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find out who you are, not get it twisted.

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don't go crazy, don't
be too self-critical.

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In your 30s, you should
get your act together

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and be a little bit more
nerdy, more focused.

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My point is if you're
finding out who you are,

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don't take it too seriously

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and then get serious in your 30s.

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I think that would work?

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I don't know, I'm so old.

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Probably useless advice.