Image

There is one thing that I've been doing a lot of thinking about lately - IMAGE!

I work for a company that is very concerned about image. During the week, men in the offices wear ties and ladies wear business attire. Our team members out in the field wear uniforms. The company pays a vendor to keep the uniforms clean. Black shoes and socks are required. A person can't even wear a hat that is ragidity. The company provides a vehicle to be driven. It is to be kept clean and dent free. Image is very important to our company!

Why?????? The owner believes that our image give the perception that we care about the little things. Image gives the perception that we are professional and know what we are doing. Image gives the perception that you can trust us. Image sets us apart of the other companies. So image to our company is important.

And I see the value in this - but I'm back to thinking that I miss so much on people because I've pre-judged on image.

Recently, Sarah and I went into a vitamin store. The manager of that store was very over-weight. I realized that I immediately thought that the store couldn't have any valuable health items because just look at how unhealthy the manager was. But truthfully, I knew nothing at all about her!

Image is something that I am having to care about. I've not really had to worry about weight before - not really. In the past, if I wanted to lose weight, I'd just not eat dinner or cut back. I'd drop the weight fairly quick. Well, something has changed - and I'm not to pleased with it. I've put on about 25 pounds since starting my job and it doesn't matter how much I cut back, I'm not dropping the weight. Like I said, I'm not to pleased about it. Yet, my outward image is still good. I don't look fat, but I know what I look like naked and what the scale says. And it just makes me aware of accurate is image.

I've realized that when I'm talking on the phone, I have an image in my head about what the person on the other end looks like based on their tone of voice. If they are being nice, I see a smile. If they are being angry, I see an ugly face. Yet, I know nothing about them - not really.

So I'm trying to be slow in my perception of others based on what I see of them. And I'm trying to make sure that my whole image - not just physical, but my attitude is a pleasing image to others. Others don't need to know that I've just gained a bunch of weight. They need to have the perception after having an interaction with me that "this day will be good after all."