The Architect’s house is always crooked. The Mechanic’s car is leaking. The Chef’s breakfast is as plain as boiled eggs… And of course, The Shoemaker’s children go barefoot.
What do all these proverbs have in common? They are all sayings, indicating that professionals often don’t tend to apply their skills for themselves.
I remember, as a young child, having a story read to me by my father – a television producer, and an avid writer. It was a riddle, in fact – one that described a barbershop in complete and utter disrepair. Long wait times, shoddy chairs, filthy floors, piles of un-sweeped hair, and the barber himself – hair, long, beard unkempt and disheveled… Across the street – a complete opposite; a shiny new barbershop – spacious, squeaky clean; and the barber? Freshly shaven and perfectly coiffed.
Where would you rather get your haircut, my father asked? Why, the clean and presentable shop, of course! I exclaimed in all my naivete. The vivid visual I had imagined of the two rival barbers simply made this a no-contest decision. But, to my surprise, the answer was just the opposite, and the explanation followed; EVERYONE gets their haircut at the first barber’s shop, because he is so highly skilled. He hasn’t time for grooming himself, for he is too busy tending to his abundant clientele. Even the barber from across the street comes to him for a cut! THAT’s why he looks so handsome.
That story really stuck with me. Perception is reality, I thought! And things aren’t always what they seem… That day, I learned never to judge the book by its cover, and to always carefully evaluate my options, before making a decision.
Have you ever found yourself in a similar position? Or maybe you find you sometimes neglect your own business needs, for the sake of servicing your clientele?
I know we are not alone in this. Many professionals are comically out of touch when it comes to their own presentation, especially the more skilled they are, it seems! So, though it is much overdo – I am happy to report that Geist is finally getting some long-deserved attention in this regard.
Follow our transition, as we work to populate our brand new site; we hope you enjoy our fresh new look, and all the new content we are planning to publish!
Stay tuned, and don’t forget to get a haircut and a new pair of shoes (or two), while you’re at it!