Spiritual and Image Conscious?
This is a familiar source of confusion for emerging wisdom workers. It is sometimes hard to reconcile our sense of humbly serving the Universe through our spiritual gifts with the worldly realities of how to step fully into sharing those gifts to the widest audience possible.
Make no mistake about it, the Universe is best served when you stand in your full radiance on center stage with Spirit shining forth brilliantly through you.
To do this you need to be willing to look at the more mundane world around you and find your place in it. Being spiritual without being grounded is not only flaky, it often leads people into the dangerous world of the bliss-junkie (more on that in another post). As wisdom workers we are called to translate our evolving awareness into action and making it accessible to others - and that is how we can be of the greatest service.
So how do you reach the widest possible audiences? By being aware of the realities of the mass consciousness as it currently exists and consciously constructing your approach to sharing your wisdom within that consciousness.
Despite the steady march toward more enlightened attitudes, lookism (prejudice based on a person's attractiveness) is still alive and well in our society. Our deepest, most ingrained, and often unconscious beliefs and attitudes, usually serve as the base from which we draw conclusions about each other. We make up our minds about whether we trust a person and/or want to do business with them largely based on what we see, hear, sense, or feel when we first meet someone.
Most of us in the wisdom professions feel prefer to think of ourselves as getting a "read" on someone's energy and intent more than focusing on societal ideals of beauty and attractiveness. Yet it can be hard to shed prejudicial instincts and social norms, even ones we do not align with consciously, as factors we use to make judgments of people when we first meet them.
This “quick sizing up” is even more pronounced in the virtual world. In the world of web surfing you do not have the luxury of your body language (in motion), mannerisms, demeanor, etc. People cannot as easily feel your energy or get a sense of you that extends beyond what the eye takes in.
An important part of presenting yourself to the world through your website is your personal photograph. Why is this so important? It’s the 3-second rule. Here’s an excerpt from About.com
Within the first three seconds of a new encounter, you are evaluated… even if it is just a glance.
People appraise your visual and behavioral appearance from head to toe. They observe your demeanor, mannerisms, and body language and even assess your grooming and accessories – watch, handbag, briefcase. Within only three seconds, you make an indelible impression. You may intrigue some and disenchant others.
It is through the images on your website, the colors, motifs, and of course the photographs that you get your “3-second” chance to convey the Essence of who you are to your visitors. If you find yourself tempted to hold back and not invest in a good photo think again. Having a well-done professional photograph of yourself is essential to establishing a clear and vibrant connection with your visitors.
Read on for Branding Basics Part II - The Right Photo
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