‘First impression is the last impression,’ someone said and we know it’s true.
Even if there’s a scope for change, I’ve noticed: Image change in negative direction is almost instantaneous; however, all efforts to improve upon existing is, almost impossible. Don’t forget, I said, almost!
Quite awkwardly, I discovered this fact during a recent visit to my home town where I met a couple of childhood friends after a decade or so.
It was a joyful reunion and every thing appeared normal for next few days until one day a minor issue turned into a hot argument, disclosing a shocking fact that my current lifestyle was perceived by them as deliberate show off. All my efforts to explain things in the right perspective found no takers, unfortunately.
This incident reminded me the findings of a recent survey, claiming, people always evaluate their ‘success in life’ against that of their relations: Relatives, friends, colleagues and all falling within their ‘area of influence.’
So, if your current status is better than what’s embedded into their belief system you need to be extremely careful to ensure a slow and steady transformation over a period of time, otherwise you may end up loosing them, forever, and that’s exactly what happened with me.
This experience has taught me following lessons:
1. What is normal for you, now, may not be so for them. Hence, in the beginning, you must ensure a situation specific projections of your attitudes and habits.
2. Even if you’re more successful in life, never let it reflect into your behavior.
3. Remain subdued until you are finally accepted, and that old emotional link is re-kindled.
Though unsuccessful, I still believe that changing your image is difficult but not impossible, and adopting the right strategy over a period of time will definitely make them accept you as what you are — forgetting what you were.
