THE OLD NEW ME

Something wierd happened today. Someone I respect suggested, in a very nice way, that I update my "look." Instead of being offended, it actually made me feel GOOD about myself.

Understand, a TV reporter can break Watergate looking like Nixon's grandma - just don't be surprised when you're told: "With that Pulitzer you'd make an excellent NEWSPAPER reporter!

It's all in the image.

That may sound unfair - it certainly feels that way sometimes - but think about it: how many times have you watched the news and wondered: "What in the world is she wearing?" It's distracting. In my business, "good" distracting (think: Brad Pitt at the news desk) works. Bad distracting can eventually sink a promising career.

I'm going to optimistically consider mine a "moderate" case. :)

I recently heard a consultant call bad hair a "10-pound weight." You can win the race with it, he said, but it's rare - and much harder to do.

Years ago at a seminar called "How to Improve Your On Air Look," I heard a news manager explain how excited she was when a big story broke in a remote location and only her station had a live report. Her excitement turned to horror when she saw the reporter. It was raining, and her hair was a mess. That manager's advice? Always carry a wig!! She said the reporter's bad hair day ruined the whole effort.

Crazy, huh? Welcome to my world.

Fast forward to today's comment about me and my 80s wardrobe. (Shoulder pads are out? Who knew?) The person who told me couldn't have been nicer. She must've just finished sensitivity training. :)

Never afraid of a challenge, I'm actually looking forward to giving myself a facelift. But it made me think: how far do you go? How will I know if I've gone overboard creating the "new me?" Sure, I could lose a few pounds, get a consultant, buy a new wardrobe - and 'Hello, Success." But when I look in the mirror, who would I see?

I thought long and hard about it all and surprised myself. Turns out, I like "ME" a lot more than I realized. ME with the hair that's hard to tame. ME with the super-conservative wardrobe. ME with the jewelry that was purchased.... well, you don't wanna know!

In short, I LIKE less-than-perfect ME. I guess we've been together so long, that the thought of completely parting ways made me really sad in ways that success alone can't compensate.

So will I spruce up? Sure! It'll actually be fun! I'm tossing my 1970s gold hoop earrings as we speak. :) But I'll change with the confidence of someone who knows her limits and is completely comfortable saying "No" when I hit that line.

So be on the lookout for "new" ME. And if you see a few hairs out of place in my new do, or a great outfit with a pair of "where did she get THOSE?" earrings, just know that's ME - the old one - just peeking out to say:

"Hi everyone - I'm still here!"'

T