We constantly make assumptions based on outside appearances. We group things and people into categories and compartmentalize them in our brain.
Sometimes people surprise us, but lots of times they don’t. We are creatures of habit and we follow basic behavioural patterns.
So we need to accept that we will be judged by how we look, act, and the choices we make.
It’s helpful to pay attention to the signals we are sending and aligning them with who we choose to be. This way other people have a better chance of getting it right, which makes our lives infinitely easier.
Do you consider yourself classy? Then showing up drunk with a cigarette hanging out of your mouth probably isn’t the right signal.
Do you consider yourself kind? Then berating your spouse because you don’t like his choices probably isn’t appropriate behaviour.
Do you consider yourself a professional? Then it’s worth considering how a professional shows up in your line of work.
Checking to see if your “book cover” appropriately displays your you helps others to sort out who you are.