You Can’t Tell a Book by Its Cover | Travel Research Online

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You Can’t Tell a Book by Its Cover

 

I awoke earlier than usual this morning, stoked the fire, made some coffee, and began browsing through a few TED videos. One of the more popular ones was only nine minutes. Most TED videos are between 18-20 minutes in length. Short, sweet, and on point. I clicked on the nine-minute speech and was soon watching a young bathing suit model talking about self-image. (This woman was not the most polished speaker I have reviewed, but I immediately appreciated why this was one of the more popular TED videos.)

Although it would be highly improbable, I won’t bore you with the details of her presentation. I will, however, share the major take-away. This young lady was tall, slim, and more than just slightly attractive to say the least. Her message was that her success had a lot to do with her clothes, hair stylist, make-up artist, pre- and post-production professionals, and more than a tad of re-touching of photos. She went on to say that although her outward appearance drew initial attention, nobody knew her for what she really was. She experienced the fact that looks are not everything.

She shared her observation that: in the majority of cases “models,” who are at their very best, lack self-esteem and inner confidence. She reminded her audience that many (most) people spend the majority of their waking hours seeking an appearance beyond their current reality. Example: Taller; shorter; shinier hair; thicker hair; longer legs; slimmer waist; fuller lips; higher cheek bones, etc. They feel success lies in obtaining the “have-nots.”

 

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I personally interpreted her message as the importance of projecting an authentic you. Be who you are. Use what you have and know that, even though you can alter your outward appearance, you will remain exactly who you are. And people will appreciate you for who you are and not what you look like.

I am not suggesting that you adopt a lazy, sloppy “what-you-see-is-what-you-get” attitude. A clean outward appearance, with clothes that match, more often than not won’t hurt your image. A haircut now and then just might be what the doctor ordered. Just don’t go overboard by spending too much time wondering, “Why can’t I be more like him/her?”

 

**** I know I have not done justice to this message. I can hear some of you saying, “That is easy for a model to say.” Here is the link to the TED Video titled “Looks Are Not Everything” by Cameron Russell


A headshot of the author, Mike Marchev

Mike Marchev is always looking for a few more proactive travel professionals to join his Sales and Marketing Club. Send for details.

mike@mikemarchev.com

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