Appearances

It is so easy to be impressed by what I see.  Advertisers found this out a long time ago.  It does not matter if the ad is on TV or in the print media.  The people in them always look perfect.  It may be an ad for exercise classes.  The promoter looks super fit.  So often the Global Direct ads show problems in black and white, and solutions in colour.  If they are advertising a piece of exercise equipment, the guys have six packs, and muscles on their muscles, and the women have what is considered in our culture as the perfect figure.
It makes sense to do that, but that is not me.  I know that may be hard for you to believe, but I ask you to suspend your reality for a moment.  Advertising may show perfect people, but they are directed at imperfect people.  People of all different shapes and sizes.
The thing is though, there is not a one size fits all solution.  Sometimes it seems the one who is seen as “the most likely to succeed” does not, and the one who no one gives a second thought to does.  A person can look like they are made for the part, but when the going gets tough, the tough get going – on British Airways.  Yet someone else just chips away.  Success does not come immediately, but when they keep at it, they wake up one day and they have reached their destination or are close to it.
I can be really tempted to look on the outside when it is the heart that matters.  Looking the part is good.  Being the part is better.  We had an Australian Olympian doing group coaching at our club for a while.  Man was he tall.  He was not the ideal size for a table tennis player.  In table tennis it is normal to crouch to receive.  When he planted his feet and crouched, they went the entire width of the table.  Although he was not the ideal size, he knew what he wanted.  Size was not going to stop him.  He worked at it.  He got better and better.  Eventually he was one of the very best in Australia.  When someone is willing to do the hard yards, who knows where they can end up.
Landline did a story on a seaweed researcher.  She had an industrial accident.  A third of her scalp needed a skin graft.  Doctors concentrated on saving her life first, and then her scalp.  Did the accident stop her?  No way.  She continues her research and has seen the medical applications for what she is doing.  It was not that she looked the part that kept her going.  It was knowing what she wanted, and not letting obstacles stop her.
I have seen this sort of stuff so often in what I have been involved in.  A person can look ideal.  They may have all the right qualifications and skills.  Yet so often, it is the one who would be picked last who steps forward and exceeds expectations for the job.
It is so important I look beyond the outward appearance.  The best I can do is say what is needed and see who steps forward.  Often it is the one most unlikely who is the best.  If I judged by appearance only, I could miss out.  If I consider outside the accepted circle, I can be pleasantly surprised.  Being able is not as important as being willing and able.