Who Learns Most?

The picture here is from my latest training. This one is at Giant Melaka (thanks ever so much Abang Lee for the Tour Guide service hehehe, or I would have been totally lost over there). Its called "Kemasan Diri dan Etiket di Tempat Kerja" or, in short, GROOMING. Now if you've read my previous blog, there's no way I would like a program about Grooming. But I do deliver it. All this while, I have never managed to drum up any kind of enthusiasm for grooming myself, but I've been able to accept it as a necessary evil. Like it or not people do judge a book by its cover. I've spent years perfecting the fastest, easiest and most effective way of putting on make-up and looking good, because I hate wasting time doing it. What I've always done is share all those techniques, and of course, I understand very well the frustration and irritation of having to look good for others, so I can relate to it.

However, having been thrown into these programs mentally kicking and screaming, I have found that I am not proof to my own blandishments. Somehow, whatever I preach I have to believe, and one of the things I preach is that if you don't like something, then by all means, don't do it. But if you have to do it, then maybe you should learn to like it. My goodness, I am if anything the slowest learner on earth. It has taken me 20 years to learn this particular lesson that my mother has preached me from the day I turned 18.

You see, part of the program is convincing a group of front-liners that how they look and act is important to others, but, more to the point, important to themselves. I saw them reluctantly opening their (for some, first ever) make-up kit. Wielding their brushes and applicators timidly, trying to make the least impact possible on their face. That was a job of work let me tell you!

I cajoled them, I brought them step-by-step through the process. At the end of it I took their pictures and projected it on the screen. I showed them what they looked like, what they really look like after the makeover, and, they were amazed! You can see how suddenly everyone was sitting up straighter, smiling more, looking happier, more confident and more energetic. It was a revelation to them. Look at them! Aren't they all beautiful? I'm so proud of them I could burst!

I came out of that program with very good feedback. I know I'll be one of the trainers in demand for that particular program now. But I also came out of the program thinking very much about myself. I've never worn make-up except when I'm delivering training or attending meetings. I've never worn it for myself. Today I did, and guess what? I feel good! I feel happier, brighter, more joyful, I have more energy to face the day, I feel equal to the tasks ahead of me.

Go figure!