When there are gains to be made by appearing a certain way, human nature tends to put on a face that provides the best outcome. Best however is dictated by wants and doesn't necessarily lend itself well to the future.

![20180814_104448.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRRrWFStYZQ2GBBnVtDgEJbxiJUuw1HwZnz2s1bfgXAdQ/20180814_104448.jpg)

This picture is of the neighbouring apartment building which is just beginning its facelift. It was built in tbe mid 70s cheaply and looks like a Soviet bunker. Like the one we live in. That *may* be an exaggeration but, not by much.

When built though, they served a purpose, one where housing was needed but price was the driving factor, not style. Practical, not pretty.

A lot of life these days is driven by impression, productization, sales, appearances. Value is in the way it looks, not the way it functions, in the promise of it, not the reality. And, people are all about personal branding. 

They talk big games, they sell the hype but when it comes time to deliver, are underwhelming and disappointing. The Jerrys of the world. We give them our attention because we want to believe that magic is real rather than the pragmatic view that to get anywhere in this life, work is required, investments must be made, risks taken.

We build our own facades in a hope to convince others of our own magical abilities, even when we know we can't live up to our own hype. The insecure boy lying about his dick size instead of building the skills so it doesn't matter. 

Building skills takes time and energy whereas a lie can get results fast. The difference is that a skilled approach carries over time and builds foundation, the lie will always be uncovered eventually and the grifter will be forced to move on.

There are many grifters these days in social media and many who want to believe in magic. People destined to always be on the run or disappointed by others. One justifies their behaviour with needs, the other with blame. Both live an illusion.

We all want people to be attracted to us but, if they are attracted to a false facade, that is not who we actually are. If you want to be accepted for who you are, you have to show who you are, not who you want people to see. Of course, change is possible and we all have room to improve the view by building the skills to be able to actually deliver.

Taraz
[ a Steem original ]
<sub>(posted from phone)</sub>