Office life is a culture unto itself.  In every work place you find many stereotypes.   The stuck up or arrogant guy, the woman that thinks she is special, the sexist pig, the firm and stoic office manager, the fat lady that everyone has to talk around, the cut throat corporate climbing guy, or the cut throat corporate climbing bitch.    They come in all these types, male and female.

Isn't it strange though that no matter where you work, these types exist?  Which one are you?  Let me guess, none of these.  Isn't it strange as we all agree these people exist but they are never us.  Let's play a game, if you had to guess, which one are you?
 
OK, so you've decided and perhaps it doesn't fit you.  At least you don't think that that type is you.  I have news for you though, it doesn't matter what you think you are.  It matters what others think you are.  You are what others decide you are and if you are the least bit conscious of what your corporate image is, you'll address it.
 
Perhaps you don’t' want to guess.  Perhaps you want to be really risky and go around the office and ask others.  Who am I?  What type of person am I?  Am I the office slut?  Am I the backstabbing co-worker?  Am I the office maid?  Oh... what's an office maid?  I knew one of those personally. The office maid is the person the person that is the office kiss ass.  They volunteer for everything, they round up the money for the office birthday gifts and such.  Some do it for the brownie points, others do it because they have no life.  Back to the types... From the work-a-holic to the slack-ass there are so ...   more »

What matters to you about how you are perceived?  I've often said, "Perception is everything, reality is nothing" which means it doesn't matter what you really are inside, it matters what people think of you.  Of course this is something you can apply in other areas such as it doesn't matter what people see, it matters what they think.

Does it matter to you what people think?  I used to think not, but in today's modern world, what people think is paramount in your life.  I suppose today's modern world may not be so different than any other point in time though...   After all hermits become what they are to escape what people think of them.  So if you want to avoid being judged, some of us pull back and try to pull away from the world around us. 

I've learned a lot from my saying "Perception is everything, reality is nothing."  It's kept me deftly aware of the things I do.  Look we all want to live and let live, but life is for the living.  You can't avoid being thought of one way or another.   On a whole we accept who we are for what we are and learn to look in the mirror and be happy with what we see.   But one day it hits you.   You think about how you are living and you decide... is it time I take the long way home?

Sooner or later, some of us take a cold hard look in the mirror and see what others see in us.    It's time to pay the price for perception. 

I'll write more on this article later.  But for now, be aware my dear reader.  Sometimes reality is smacking you in the face and your perception of reality is about to be turned upside down.  If you are an artist ...   more »

When I was a youth of 20 or so I took girlfriend of mine named Noel to Myrtle Beach South Carolina for a week's trip.  She had a girlfriend along too and a friend of mine arrived on day 3 to hang out with Noel's girlfriend... But I digress.

It was on this trip I learned that the way I saw the world was different.  It was good, it was rosy.  My families’ friends owned the motel we were staying at and we often sat in the office behind the front desk to chat up how our day went or just talk about life.  Their son was and is my age and we got along great together.  One night we roamed in and I was wearing a pair of very funky glasses.  They were perfectly round and had many shades of red.   I even remembered where I bought them... Zipperhead on South Street in South Philly.   Noel and I are sitting and talking to the owner, Bobbie.  She says to me, "Lars, you are looking at the world through them rose colored glasses." In her distinct southern draw.   At first I say, "Yeah... they are fine aren’t then?"  She answers... "No, I mean you."  I stopped and smiled, "Thanks."

I've always remembered those rose colored glasses.  Sometimes I think I should buy another pair.   If only to capture that youthful exuberance and give my self a reason to smile.  Now I'm not saying my life is bad etc...  I have my hardships like anyone else.   But the fact is life is what you make it.  And more than that, life is how you live it.   You can lay down and take your crappy hand and whine about it, or you can watch how the other players play their hands and learn from the ...   more »