Do you Develop or Just Decorate?
Dear Leader,
Consider this: You wake up and go straight out about your business for the day.
Off to work, school, meet your friends, whatever, but without a thought as to how you look, smell, or dress.
Well, maybe a few did, but, for most of us, as a general rule, it is unlikely. Most, if not all – emergencies apart – visit the bathroom first: wash, brush, clean; trim, style, preen…
Accentuating highlights, diminishing lowlights. Perhaps a choice of something nice to wear with matching accoutrements. Knowing all too well that our day will require meeting people – some we like, others not so much; some we want to impress, others perhaps just intimidate!
This is all decoration.
Now, consider this: knowing that our day may well require us to have to actually write something, say something, or present something to those same people, how much effort do we put into sounding good, writing well, or presenting clearly?
Will all that previous “decoration” help us to make a positive impact with those people in these situations?
Of course, I am pretty sure everyone would put in some effort for the last one – the presentation – but in all honesty, just how much preparation and preening do we do, and how often, for how we speak, write and communicate with others on a daily basis?
We spend so much time and money on making sure that we, daily, look good, smell good, and dress well – if not hourly for some with little touch-ups in the bathroom, or sneaky shape-ups when no one is looking.
This ritual can gives us confidence.
How much time, effort – and money for that matter – do we spend on how well we speak, write, or even think?
What we think, write and speak is a product of what we put in, and how we use it and shape it, just as much as how we look, smell and dress is dependent on how we groom, what we wear, and how much we clean.
The ability to communicate effectively, rather than just look extravagantly, is dependent on one’s ability to deliver a relevant, reasoned thought, a logical, coherent message, with a clear, precise delivery.
This discipline creates competence.
Note To Self!
Communication is, of course, visual as well as verbal and written, so making sure one looks good is, no doubt, important, but it is only a third of the equation at best.
Verbal and written communication is far more important than visual and physical presentation. If I look prim, but sound pathetic, others will probably regard me with little potential, but if I sound competent, even though I may look careless, others will likely give me more credit.
Most would think nothing of spending 15 minutes; 30 minutes, perhaps an hour (with a commensurate budget) everyday on getting it right and looking good. Compare that, however, with how much time, effort, and money is spent on learning, developing or perfecting personal skills so that one can think, speak, and write well?
Looking good can only take us so far, but effective communication can transcend expectations.
Personal decoration has its value, but personal development is priceless.
Living Life, Learning Lessons!
Live | Learn | Lead
