Looking Young Can Be An Asset
Mr.
Harlan,
There
is something that's been bothering me, and it's called "looking
younger than your actual age." I'm actually 28, but I look
like I am in my early 20s. I take really good care of myself,
and I look around 21. I'm normally very energetic and positive,
but this year it started to change me. I realize my appearance
affects my communication with others and how they see me -
from friends, girls, relationships, communications and even
my job interviews. I tend to express my age, but most people
just see a 20-year-old. I'm no pessimist, but looking so much
younger is my No. 1 problem. I can't find a way to bypass
or change it.
Young Guy
Hey
Mr. Young,
Calling
Mr. Cohen thing makes me feel old.
Here's another way to look at it - as you get older, younger
people will relate to you, and older people will marvel at
you. You can use your skills, head of hair (I assume) and
a hunger for knowledge to put yourself in extraordinary places.
And I know it because I've been living it. People have always
judged me, thinking I'm too young to know anything. And sometimes
they're right. I especially like it when "wise adults" write
angry age-centric letters expressing that I don't know anything
(yes, so mature). Regardless, I thank them for their honesty
and let them know I respect their wisdom. Eventually, I earn
their respect. And if I don't, I feel bad that they're so
angry and soured by life. Start by using your youthful appearance
as a strength. Make it one more reason to be that much better.
Should someone say something age-centric, remind yourself
that the founders of Google were 26 and 27 when they opened
their doors, and Thomas Jefferson was 33 when he drafted the
Declaration of Independence. (Note: Jefferson wore a gray
wig, but the Google guys don't wear gray wigs, at least not
at work.)
