Image matters. I have been vehemently rebelling against this idea for most of my life. I get indignant… offended… downright mad… frustrated – when people judge this book by it’s cover – long before the pages inside have been read. I want to chew my arm off in frustration when people make assumptions about me / my life / my family / my work / my marital status / my financial status – and even my sexual orientation (!!?) based upon my external appearance.

For most of my life I’ve been angrily rebelling… trying to tell myself that it doesn’t matter… that if the world wants to judge me by my looks without knowing the full story – then it’s their problem – not mine.

The truth is this: it actually is my problem! And whether I like it or not… and whether I think it’s fair or not (and I don’t think it’s fair)… the fact is: image DOES matter. And what’s more… it will always matter… whether I rant, rave, rebel, complain or whine about it. Image will always matter. The world will always judge you based on your external… long… long before they have a clue about what your internal is all about. It’s just one of those sad but true facts about life.

Celebrities (actors and musicians in particular) are well, well aware of this phenomenon and will spend gazillions of dollars perfecting their image. Actually – scratch that – I’ve seen people who have successfully used their image to grow their business (and/or influence) in many different sectors and contexts… from the wall-street financial guru in his very expensive Gucci tailor-made suit and Rolex watch (he wants his whole image to say: “Look at me, I’m rich, successful and very good at what I do!”)… to the zany art student sporting her flea-market finds, her pink braids and her grans vintage brooches… (“Look at me, I’m creative, I’m a risk-taker, I’m not scared to try different things, I’m not a sheep!”)… to the tall guy who attends our gym with his uber-tight vests, his proud strut, the multitude of tattoos decorating his bulging biceps… (“Look at me! I’m the man! I’m strong and cool and ladies, I’m available!”)…. to the kugel clip-clopping the bling-encrusted corridors of the upmarket shopping centre with her Jimmy Choo’s, flashing loads of leg, boob and her new hideously overpriced (and unsightly!) branded D&G handbag… (“Look at me!”)

See what I’m saying? I’m just as guilty of sizing up people by their external appearance. We all are! Maybe I’m wrong about the guy in the gym… maybe he’s actually shy and introverted. Perhaps he’s an accountant. Maybe the girl in the Jimmy Choo’s is the art student… or maybe the guy in the Gucci suit and the Rolex is actually a drummer in a rock band… and maybe the zany art student is actually a busy mom of four. Maybe – but probably not.

I say probably not because I believe that many people in this world have come to understand the importance of image – and how they dress… what they weigh… how they do their hair… the brands they buy… how they walk & talk… is a deliberate act (on their part) to project who they ARE (internally) in a way that the world can understand (externally). I think it’s genius!

Think for a second about… Marilyn Manson. Does anyone know what Marilyn really looks like underneath all that make-up, that eerie contact lens and that stringy black hair? Does anyone even know what his real name is? Marilyn Manson has done an excellent job of building a brand around his image. Would the world have taken any notice of Marilyn Manson as this rebellious rock musician guy… if his name was, say, Nevil Brown…?? And if he was just another guy in jeans and mulchy T-shirts with a guitar and a few songs?

What about Marilyn’s ex-second half – Dita von Teese. Same thing. She has done a brilliant job of building a brand around her image alone. She’s created this image of herself as a burlesque glamour girl. Her pitch black hair – always done in glamour Monroe-style do’s. Her lips – always bright red. Her skin, pale perfection. Her clothes – always 100% glamour! Corsets, cleavage, diamonds, red nails, all the time! Has anyone… ever caught a glimpse of her looking remotely slobbish? And so now – Dita von Teese is fabulously famous. She’s regularly featured in the fashion mags… invited to the Big Do’s… to mingle with the Big Names. Does anyone know what Dita von Teese actually DOES for a living (apart from look fabulous?)…?? Does anyone know what her real name is? Would Dita von Teese be enjoying all of this fame if her name was say… Jane Clark… and if she was just another girl in jeans and fitted tee’s with a few creative ideas in her head?

Image is so powerful – it can make or break a person’s career! It seems like actual bona-fide TALENT often takes a back seat in favour of IMAGE. Katie Perry… Britney Spears… even Pink are all singers whose image out-does their talent… and there’s many more like them! Remember Anna Nicole Smith? Famous for what? Her image!! (Big hair, big boobs, big everything)… certainly not her acting talent! Paris Hilton? Famous for what?? Image!! Even here at home… “Vernon Koekemoer”… what’s he famous for? His fabulous acting talent? His brilliant presenting or speaking skills? No! His image (his image makes people laugh – but it’s his image nontheless. There’s no-one like Vernon Koekemoer!!). Of course – I could give hundreds more examples – and I’m sure you could too… but the main lesson and question for me (now that I understand that image really matters) is this:

How can I use this to my advantage?
How can I adjust my image to accurately portray who I really am on the inside???
How can I use my image to get my message out there?

Because, if I’m really honest, for the past couple of years, I’ve looked like one of Jerry Springer’s dodgy guests. I’ve worn ugly granny-style clothes… I haven’t bothered with make-up or hair… I’ve binged myself into a terrible state of fatness… I’ve worn broken, skew glasses… I’ve bitten my nails… I’ve slouched… I’ve kept my eyes glued to the floor when I walk… (I could go on and on)… and I need to be honest with myself and ask: Has my IMAGE for the past 5 years benefited me in any way??

Truth? NO! In fact, it has caused all kinds of damage!
People don’t take me seriously. People make assumptions about my abilities. People assume I’m lazy and incompetent. They certainly don’t view me as having anything of creative value to offer. They even assume I’m broke and stupid – and once, when I was walking in a shopping mall with my sister, two old ladies shot sideways glares at us and hissed: “Lesbians!”.
Huh? What?

The truth about me is this: I’m very creative… I’m multi-talented.. I’m adventurous… I’m a risk-taker… I love new things… I love change… I’m wild… I’m positive… I’m musical… (and so much more).

Now the question is: how do I accurately portray those internal qualities in an external way using “image” as a tool? How can I get “image” to work for ME like it has worked for countless others around the world?

Hmmm. Lots to chew on, me thinks.