Image is Destiny
Image is Destiny
A Sixty-Word SZEN Story*:
Tom was vehemently arguing that we’re not just plopped here on this planet with our lives all scripted out before us as if we don’t have any choices or influence on our future. He cited the example of interviewing for a job. How we dress, speak, listen and generally act, creates our desired impression. It’s all about our projected image.
And more…
I think Tom is spot on with his perspective. We actually can control what people think of us, especially in the world of first impressions, which, as we know, are the most lasting. Over many years of branding, coaching, training and teaching I’ve witnessed the power of self-image and our brain’s ability to take us to whatever destination and outcome we can fathom. The caveat here is that staying focused on the goal can be difficult. Maintaining the necessary image and projection to get there, is not like simply waving a magic wand and “poof” whatever we desire appears – It’s not wishful thinking it’s more like brain manipulation.
Our brains are simultaneously complex and simple. It’s designed to keep our world within reach while working as efficiently as possible. The efficiency includes keeping the heart beating, blood flowing, lungs expanding and a zillion other things without us having to get involved personally with the process. All humans share this ability. We need only intervene when one of our internal systems fail us somehow. This leaves us the time to think about our quality of life, environment, relationships etc. and of course our future.
Our minds can construct any number of scenarios, and we can then train our brain to work with us to get there. It’s useful to think of the brain as an elaborate and sophisticated GPS. We plug in the desired destination and coordinates, and we move toward the goal. We tell the brain where to go and it goes. The rub is that we all tend to change our minds and get distracted and then the brain redirects the GPS to follow the new plan. It’s maddening, I know. When this happens, we need to redirect to the original destination and lock it in. Once we’re locked in, the brain can access the powers of the universe to either take us there or bring it to us. It’s the same thing, and if you have any experience with serendipity, you know what I mean. So where are we headed?
* Always 60 words. No more, no less.
Szenippet: On any given journey, we’re not expected to have every resource we need to get there. We can get what we need along the way and often through a combination of luck and mindset circumstances align just in time to that they appear almost magical. And suddenly, we arrive.