Speaker 1: Welcome to this week’s episode of The Coach Amina Z podcast. Brought to you by coaches Amina Z and Zaid.
Speaker 2: We know that you have big dreams and it’s our job to show you how you can achieve them. We know that you have it in you.
Speaker 1: And we are going to show you how you can harness it to lead a smarter, fuller, and larger life on the way to ultimate success.
Speaker 2: And now please welcome the dynamic coach duo Amina Z and Zaid.
Coach Zaid: We all have something we love that really matters to us. And whatever you tend to value has a world that appreciates it.
Coach Amina Z: Something is activated when you invest time, energy and resources into anything. It’s like a weight or form of measurement is added to it, and over time there is a sense of gravitas.
Coach Zaid: As we mentioned in the intro episode of our podcast, we recently took up breeding of Nishikigoi, more popularly known as koi fish. And just as we mentioned, it was born out of our love for ponds, aquariums and exotic fish. And particularly because of the challenge we had when we first installed an aquarium we bought from the store. Do you remember?
Coach Amina Z: Oh yeah, I do. I remember. Our fish kept dying. We had no clue what to do. So we went searching for answers and discovered the forever breath taking koi fish.
Coach Zaid: The history of Japanese Koi is not commonly known to even the most dedicated koi fish owner.
Coach Amina Z: Oh yes. And as usual, when you don’t understand the reason for something you miss out on a lot. In a moment we will talk about our appearance and if it really matters or if it makes a difference. But I love it when Coach Z talks about the history of koi. It will give you a new respect for this resilient fish and help you understand the need to pay attention to your appearance.
Coach Zaid: Okay, so yeah is the premiere to the koi story. Lights, popcorn, sound effects, Asian music, action. China is the true birthplace for the noble koi fish. According to Chinese history, Confucius son was given a mutated cab by King Shoko of Ro. As a result of his vibrant colors, the fish began to feature much in Chinese artwork.
When the Chinese invaded Japan because of the resilient nature of the fish, they were bred primarily for food.
Coach Amina Z: Oh no. So this was the beginning of the fish, the koi?
Coach Zaid: Yes. Well, the Japanese saw the great potential of the koi and began breeding them to bring out their beautiful colors, something the Chinese never thought of. So they began to raise koi for their vibrant colors.
Coach Amina Z: Okay.
Coach Zaid: The Japanese breeding is what gives them the credit for today’s koi fish.
Coach Amina Z: Is that why they’re called Japanese Koi?
Coach Zaid: Yes.
Coach Amina Z: Okay.
Coach Zaid: And may I add that, the Koi has taken the world by storm. It has bred all over the world. And although Britain has led to creation over 100 types of koi fish, they are generally grouped into thirteen general classes: Kohaku, Taisho Sanke, Showa, Utsuri Mono, Bekko, Asagi-Shusui, Koromo, Kawarimono, Hikari Mujimono or Ogon, Hikari Moyo-mono, Hikari Utsuri, and Tancho.
Coach Amina Z: Yeah, I know. Awesome. You don’t even ask me to make all those names. And these koi fish, how much are they sold for?
Coach Zaid: The most expensive koi ever sold was worth $2.2 million in today’s money.
Coach Amina Z: Wait, did you say $2.2 million?
Coach Zaid: Yes, but again, there are other kois that cost 2,500 US, 1,500 US, 400,000, it all depends on price.
Coach Amina Z: Oh, okay. Wait, hold on. The baby koi, okay, let’s see people are hearing these 2.2 billion. Oh, sorry. Did you say 2.2 million?
Coach Zaid: 2.2 million.
Coach Amina Z: Wow. Are you listening? This is a good net worth. Okay. You know what? Let me ask you a question. Like a baby koi. For those who may want to buy this koi, I mean, 2.2 million. No wait. Okay, so baby koi. Let’s go baby. Let’s go baby koi.
Coach Zaid: Okay.
Coach Amina Z: So how much would that cost?
Coach Zaid: Baby koi cost 200 US, 300 US.
Coach Amina Z: 200,000 or-
Coach Zaid: No, 200 US.
Coach Amina Z: 200 dots, finished. 2 0 0.
Coach Zaid: Yeah, 200..
Coach Amina Z: Ah, okay. Oh, ah hah. Now we’re speaking something. How long are they? How big are they? These ones, the baby koi.
Coach Zaid: Sometimes they are five cm, 10 cm, centimeters I mean.
Coach Amina Z: Will they grow?
Coach Zaid: Yes, they grow to as much as one meter, 95 to 100 centimeters.
Coach Amina Z: How long do they live for, koi?
Coach Zaid: 50 years.
Coach Amina Z: 50 years.
Coach Zaid: Yes.
Coach Amina Z: Oh my gosh. Oh, no wonder. Okay. So they’re the real McKoi. They’re pet store real, right? Of all the animals I would not have expected the koi fish to make the Forbes list of animal millennials. So what do they judge them on? Or how are they judged?
Coach Zaid: One word. Appearance.
Coach Amina Z: Ah, okay.
Coach Zaid: Over 100,000 kois are born each year. Only the 50 best looking koi will be selected to show. Koi shows have one of the highest standards. Show kois are judged on their color, size, body shape and pattern. The color is definitely the most important aspect as this is what makes them breathtakingly beautiful. And not just pretty, but it has to be the same shade wherever that color appears on the fish.
Coach Amina Z: Wow.
Coach Zaid: It has to be deep, so no white shows through when the fish moves, and it has to span three or more scales or else it is considered a blemish.
Coach Amina Z: Wow. How much do appearances matter?
Coach Zaid: Well, I guess it depends if you are a koi or not?
Coach Amina Z: Okay, I’m not a koi.
Coach Zaid: But you are human being.
Coach Amina Z: Yeah, which I am.
Coach Zaid: Okay. You tell us, does it really matter?
Coach Amina Z: Oh, yes. My answer would be a resounding yes. After all, I have just heard, appearances to be honest with you guys matters a lot. And I think we all know this. The importance of looking good is immeasurable. Visual information is often the first kind of information we get about a person that we meet for the first time.
Even if we have interacted first over the phone or online when there’s a physical or virtual meeting where we actually have eye contact, we can actually see the person, we are predisposed to judge others by their physical appearance.
Coach Zaid: So like the cowboy, your same appearance is one of the most important values that determines how successful I am on a personal and professional level?
Coach Amina Z: Yes. Like you pointed out in your koi story, the success of the koi depends on their appearance, specifically, right?
Coach Zaid: Yes.
Coach Amina Z: Okay. So attention to details is very important, right?
Coach Zaid: Yes.
Coach Amina Z: Well it’s not fair now, it’s not fault of the Koi. That’s how they were born. All right. In similar fashion though, your success in life can often depend on the opinion of people around you. How do you dress? Do you speak properly? How about your table manners and etiquette? There is an appearance bias that we all give and receive.
Coach Zaid: Interesting.
Coach Amina Z: Yeah, interesting. We live in a world based largely on perception. And perceptions inform or influence our choices and ultimately our actions. They shape our behavior and culture and societal norms. So if you look good and have placed great value on your appearance, people will naturally assume that you are healthy, positive, trustworthy, knowledgeable, even deserving to be respected.
Coach Zaid: Now before we go throwing attitude and good morals out the window, let’s clarify. Appearance isn’t the only thing to pay attention to. We will cover other aspects of impressions as we go on.
Coach Amina Z: Yes, we will. The stuff for today though appearance. And as we popularly say, it is the first impression. And the reason is that our unconscious mind control our perceptions or impressions. And these initial impressions, whether positive or negative, will determine how people behave towards us.
Coach Zaid: So would it be a bad idea to show up in my board meeting in my pajamas? Or my bedrooms slippers?
Coach Amina Z: It depends. If you’ve been brought in for a doctor’s appointment at the psychiatric hospital, the pajamas and may be appropriate, but I would not advise putting on bedroom slippers for a corporate interview or meeting.
Coach Zaid: So bottom line is we essentially judge ourselves by our covers.
Coach Amina Z: Yes.
Speaker 2: This episode is brought to you by Coach Amina Z TV.
Coach Zaid: On this week’s episode of Coach Amina Z TV, does your cover match your contents? Yes, how to make a powerful impression. Coach Amina Z mentioned five books you really can judge by their covers. And gave some very useful tips. The visual cues are also absolutely awesome. You should watch the episode.
The bottom line is, number one.
Coach Amina Z: Pay attention to how you look. You absolutely need to express that you take yourself seriously by putting time and effort into looking professional and on brand.
Coach Zaid: Oh yeah. If your clothes are wrinkled and your hair in disarray, that’s a good sign things won’t get any more polished if and when someone takes the time to get to know you.
Coach Amina Z: And number two, decide to be or not to be fix it Felix or wreck it Ralph. I’m sure some of us know that cartoon. When you meet someone, whether it’s a potential client, business partner, VC, or friend, they will want to know one thing pretty quickly. What are you capable off? They want to know all the good that you have the potential to do, as well as the damage. The worst impression you could give is that you are insincere and not real. The best impression you could give is that you are real and can add value to them. That is to say that you are an asset to their goals and a joy to be around.
Coach Zaid: What does this mean about your presentation? This probably has more to do with the body language and clothing. So make sure that you signal that you are a person of competence that will make their lives easier, not harder. And that brings us to number three. Let them know you’ve been around
Coach Amina Z: I’ve been around. Oh, dear. Are we being judged right now for that? Or have we lost contracts now? Oh well. Now you know where we’ve been. Where have you been? And where are you going? It’s not always obvious to others when they first meet you, but much of this is implied during early interactions by how you present yourself and communicate with others.
Coach Zaid: A stranger can know where you’ve been a few ways. In a literal way, like where you’ve been shopping. And in a more figurative way like how experienced and educated you appear.
Coach Amina Z: In the same way, they will get a sense of where you’re going. They say to dress the way you want to be addressed. And I think that this is definitely true. How you present yourself signals what you want out of life. And others will notice whether you are in an upward trajectory or a downward spiral. Trust me, they will know.
Coach Zaid: Number four, always remember that your personality is showing.
Coach Amina Z: Yeah, excuse me, your personality is showing. Personality can be conveyed in an instant, sometimes before an exchange of words. What you wear, for instance, shows to some extent your interest and sensibilities. Are you a perfectionist? Are you calm, quiet, and loyal and easy to get along with? Are you a serious and task oriented person? A natural born leader, it seems? Are you loud and raised to part 10? The life of every party in town. These are personality traits that can be revealed by your appearance. Be it physical or body language, or early interaction.
Coach Zaid: Yes. So make a decision today to use this to accurately represent yourself, and play your positive elements of your personality in order to send the message you want to those you meet.
Coach Amina Z: And finally, tip number five. Change your wardrobe to a walk in closet full of values.
Coach Zaid: Your values and priorities can be read fairly easily upon first glance.
Coach Amina Z: Not only that, what you choose to discuss and how will show others what you care about. And speaking of what you choose to discuss, I love this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt. “Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.”
Coach Zaid: Most of this is innate. Or it’s important to recognize these realities so that we can do even better. So make sure our covers match our contents. This when only serve to help us in our part to dream realization. Okay, so-
Coach Amina Z: I think we got it all.
Coach Zaid: Yes, we did.
Coach Amina Z: Okay. Right.
Coach Zaid: I hope you enjoyed this episode. You can check out the show notes at www.coachaminaz.com/session2. I hope this was useful to you, perhaps even inspirational for where you are right now. I hope you especially watch this episode on Coach Amina Z TV.
Coach Amina Z: You guys are awesome. I appreciate you, Team A Listers.
Coach Zaid: Yay.
Coach Amina Z: Yeah. Thank you for being here and supporting us. And I hope the advice given is something you love because guess what? We’re going to do a lot more of it down the road. Awesome community, you are. Thank you so much. Please hit subscribe if you haven’t already. A List Community for the win.
Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to the Coach Amina Z podcast at www.coachaminaz.com.
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