I was proceeding down an elegant boulevard the other day when my journey was arrested for a moment by a traffic light. As an exercise in mindfulness, (1) I labor to pay attention to my physical environment – the cars, motochas, and bicycles whizzing by are also an intrinsic part of my present world of movement. Once the traffic begins to move, it is as if you are caught up in some enormous wave — a primordial heartbeat. The vehicles all purr in unison and you are off to catch the next stoppage. I admire the occasional renegade who doesn’t wait for the full green but advances with the red still displayed. My ardor was somewhat cooled recently, however, when I saw one of those courageous souls struck by a scooter coming in the opposite direction — also hurrying to “beat the light” – Ouch!
The pause at the stoplight allows for seconds of reflection and a focused study of your surroundings. I have recently purchased new shoes and in a moment of vanity, I regarded them with admiration – “Oh, how elegant,” I thought to myself. This led to my gaze being extended to all the other foot coverings in the local vicinity. Most were casual wear — running shoes and the like, interspersed with more humble sandals. I decided to conduct my own straw poll. (2) Over the course of the next two weeks or so I diligently studied the footwear of my fellow commuters at red lights. Their foot coverings were invariably relaxed – more formal wear was scare, to say the least. This led me to the idiom: “You can always take a tie off.” This means to be prepared for any situation.
If you go for a job interview, for example, and everyone is more unceremoniously attired, you can always “dress down.” You could literally take your tie off. If, unfortunately, you arrive at the said interview with no tie and your interviewer is wearing one, you are at a distinct disadvantage. My friend J. A. Earl, from the Interview Warrior (www.theinterviewwarrior.com), tells me, to paraphrase, that your resume gets you the interview, but the interview gets you the job. Now think about this: your 16 or 18 years of study present you with an opportunity to begin your quest to employment freedom (Don’t be a wages slave: a career is a must), but your 30-minute interview decides your fate – startling!
What to do? It is, of course very difficult to do anything. “You can bring a horse to water but you can’t force him to drink” means that you can provide all the knowledge possible, but the individual still has to take their own initiative. Our job, I believe, as students, parents, teachers, and educators is to open the door to the reality of work and what is demanded from it. I honestly believe that few candidates are prepared for the intellectual and physical rigors that the interview and job call for.
To begin, one must realize that you are distinct from the world that you occupy. I can initially, only see you as a body – a corporeal being. How this entity looks determines how the interview will proceed. It is important that you spend the time to develop your “personal brand.” A personal brand, ideally, mirrors the inner being: the thoughtful, self-reflective person coupled with the exterior dynamic self. Once you have begun to create your brand — practice. Go out and walk and talk with people: go to pubs, restaurants, meetup (3) meetings – whatever it takes.
Get that exposure and listen to the feedback. “What do you think of my haircut? Do you find my demeanor positive? Was my handshake strong enough – or too strong?” Ask: you need data to analyze. The most important of all is to concretize how you want to be seen. This is not a question directed to Narcissus, (4) it is a practical question with real value. The spark of the person you want to be is inside each of us. All secrets lie within, there is no external knowledge that will assist you in understanding your mission in life: “be mindful” and fabulous things will be presented. The great poet Maya Angelou (1928-2014) leaves us with a thought: My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.
A closing thought: You can be the person you want to be. You can affect the elan that defines your splendid signature. Although this is not an easy task, it is achievable. No artist, either of the stage or of the self, attains expertise without years of grueling practice and adjustment, and more practice and adjustment. The result is a unique experience that cannot be easily copied or emulated: in a word – you.
To sum up: This week we spoke about defining your personal brand. How will this be accomplished? The straightforward answer is through hard work and determination.
A philosophical question: Why is personal peace so elusive but universal frustration and pain so common?
Just for reflection – Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th-century German abbess, and mystic.
This week, please think of your own personal image: is it representative of the real you?
Every day look for something magical and beautiful.
Quote: We are all worthy of greatness if we are willing to begin the journey of self-exploration.
Footnotes:
2) Straw poll
3) Meetup
4) Narcissus