When to say "F-it!"
How Agent John Ferriter, Wynonna Judd and Oprah helped me decide
I was in my early-30s and had recently resigned from my job as a talent agent at WME (the William Morris Agency, as it was then known). I stayed on a few months after my resignation to make sure my exit was as seamless as possible. I still set meetings, closed deals, and did everything agents do. During that time, I was invited to join our superstar client Wynonna Judd to an “Oprah Show” appearance in Chicago.
Wynonna’s voice and humor always inspire, and going to an Oprah show taping had been a 20-year dream of mine. I couldn’t think of a more exciting final business trip as a talent agent. I went into talk to BIG BOSS about the opportunity and to ask if I could go. Even though it was a business trip, I was leaving the company and so I said that I would pay. To my surprise, my soon-to-be-former BIG BOSS was adamant that I not go.
At that time, I still had a very strong pattern of obedience to authority, particularly male authority. I was so upset that he wouldn’t “let” me go. And, like a daughter who was mad at her father, I pouted in my office.
Even though I was upset, I cared about his opinion of me very much and didn’t want to disappoint him. I still wanted to be a “good girl.” And, as I often did, I internalized everything: I was sick to my stomach. Literally.
One of my then senior colleagues John Ferriter (who sadly passed away in 2019) invited me to talk in his office and asked what was wrong. I explained the story. His reaction changed my life.
“Krista,” John said. “Has BIG BOSS ever walked down to your office?”
I thought about it and replied, “Nope.”
“Is you cell phone working?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Is there anything that will happen while you are away that you can’t take care of with a call or email?”
“Not really,” I said.
“Krista, I say this from the heart: GO!! You must! It’s Wynonna Judd! It’s Oprah! You were invited and it’ll be an amazing experience. If BIG BOSS calls, just say you’re out of the office and leave it at that. It’s the truth. Plus you’ll only be gone for two days and are leaving the company soon—it won’t matter to him, it will only matter to you.”
I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of it that way. It was like the sun breaking through dark clouds and I finally got it. Life was presenting me with a choice: “Follow or F-it?” I remember realizing in that moment that I had control of my life. I can choose to act in it and not be acted upon. I had a complete attitude shift: I was in the driver’s seat of my life!
I’m convinced that it was only through a little divine help that I made it onto the plane to Chicago the next morning. I got to be there with Wynonna and heard her sing her hit song “Attitude“ with gusto! I had a new attitude; I had the ability to exercise my own free will. The next few months at the agency were spent with a change of heart and I felt more peaceful about my decision to leave as I closed the agent chapter in my life.
Taking control of your own life is not a one-time event. It takes constant attention, perspective, and sometimes a little help from others (thank you John Ferriter for your wise words and thank you Julie Colbert for inviting me to join you in Chicago with Wy that day.) Because I chose to “F-it,” I have an amazing memory!
And of course, BIG BOSS never even knew I was out of the office.