Closing Up Shop
This week marked the conclusion of Mavericks: Closing the Shop, the third event I organized in 2024 as a personal initiative to create a community focused on breaking free from the cycle of merely "surviving" work life. With a curious and eager audience, we gathered to reflect on the lessons of the year and how to navigate the festive rush with calm and clarity. But behind the organization of these spaces lies something deeper: the spirit of Mavericks.
I define a Maverick as an independent individual who questions the status quo and carves their own path. To me, being a Maverick means learning the rules of the game—not to follow them blindly but to redefine them based on what truly matters. It’s about ensuring our identity isn’t solely tied to work and building a life that integrates purpose, rest, and humanity.
I organize these events because I believe in the importance of providing a platform to extraordinary professionals who enrich my professional and personal life. But I also do it because, instead of waiting to be invited to the conversation, I choose to create it. For me, these gatherings are an opportunity to address relevant topics that help us grow as a society and as individuals.
This time, the central theme was how to close cycles intentionally, a critical task at the end of the year. The event featured inspiring speakers like Cathy Valdéz, who presented the topic “Office Worker vs. Entrepreneur.” Cathy dismantled stereotypes about two career profiles: the “office worker,” associated with stable 9-to-5 jobs, and the entrepreneur, who starts their own business. She debunked common myths, such as the notion that office workers are unhappy and entrepreneurs enjoy instant freedom and wealth. In reality, both roles come with challenges and aim for the same goal: financial security and personal growth. Her talk left us with a crucial takeaway: beyond labels, what matters is aligning our career choices with our passions and goals, while embracing new possibilities like the “Office Entrepreneur. or “Intrapreneur”.
The panel I moderated with Luis Salas, Carolina Maier, and Bty Martínez complemented this perspective, highlighting key lessons:
Recognize the importance of breaks: Engage in activities that mentally and emotionally recharge you, whether it’s sports, reading, or guilt-free rest. Breaks are not just necessary but powerful.
Learn to say “no”: Setting boundaries protects your well-being and strengthens your ability to prioritize and negotiate.
Question work culture: Not all workplace cultures fit everyone. Seek spaces where you can grow without sacrificing your health.
Celebrate achievements and learn from failures: Every step, even stumbles, brings us closer to becoming better at what we do. Always remember: we work with people, not metrics.
From this final event of the year, which left me nervous, regretful, and resigned, I take with me a quote shared by Luis Salas:
"Exponential growth is about being consistent and looking back to acknowledge what we’ve achieved, without obsessing over the numbers."
Closing the year isn’t just about checking off items from an endless to-do list; it’s also about pausing to appreciate how much we’ve grown and giving ourselves space to plan for the future. This year-end closure isn’t merely the end of a cycle—it’s the planting of seeds for what’s to come.
Each event reaffirms the importance of connecting, listening, and sharing. This was our third gathering of 2024, and I’m already looking forward to March 2025, when Mavericks returns with new topics, new voices, and the same purpose: to help us navigate the challenges we face as professionals and as human beings.
In the meantime, here’s my invitation: take a moment to reflect on your year. Close your own shop with intention. Acknowledge your achievements, rest, and make space for what’s ahead.
