A Coaching Reflection Inspired by 3 Idiots :)

Ever find yourself doom scrolling late at night? That was me about a fortnight ago, when a reel from 3 Idiots popped up. Remember the scene where Kareena Kapoor’s character, Pia, is at her sister’s wedding? Rancho (Aamir Khan) crashes the party, calls out Suhas as a “moving price tag,” and then, thanks to a little chutney mishap exposes just how silly it is to value people (or things) by their price tags. Classic Rancho, right?

That scene stuck with me. Fast forward to a recent coaching session: my client was torn about buying something “exclusive” … a luxury item that screamed status but didn’t really offer much practical value. we got us talking around the theme: Why do we pay more for things that might not actually and value to our lives?

Let me introduce the #Veblen Effect. (Economics fans, you’ll know this one!) It’s when demand for a luxury good actually increases as the price goes up. Why? Because a higher price signals status, exclusivity, and…let’s be honest…a bit of “look at me!” Think luxury cars, designer bags, or that VIP number plate everyone seems to want.

Here’s the kicker: Sometimes, things become more desirable just because they’re ridiculously expensive. Thorstein Veblen nailed it beautifully, we often buy stuff not for what it does, but for what it announces about us.

Back to my client: after spending a small fortune on “exclusive” things, they’d often come back regretting it, realising the value wasn’t really there. So, I challenged them (and now, you!):

Before dropping serious money on something "exclusive", ask yourself: Do I genuinely want this, or am I just... performing wealth?

So, next time you’re tempted by something shiny and expensive, channel your inner Rancho. Is it about genuine desire, or just signalling status? The answer might save you more than just money…it could help you reclaim your authenticity.

If this thought and conversation resonated with you, and are interested in engaging in similar conversations, please block a zero cost chemistry session here: https://lnkd.in/gr7gMFau