The issues of perception, peer pressure and expectations placed upon you by yourself and others is not limited to being in school or new career climbing.

I'm 57 and it's no different. My competitors were circling like vultures after my accident, ready to divide my customers. I fooled them and didn't die!

After a 10 month hiatus from work I was very concerned about customer opinion and was I ever being watched...employees as well.

It has been a very difficult lesson for me to learn to keep my head down and mind my own business, not be swayed by the polls of public opinion and be confident enough to heal in the way I felt best despite having never been down the PCS road before.

I believe peer pressure has its place but you can't allow it to make decisions for you in and of itself. It has taken a good whack to the noggin to learn that, an unexpected benefit from a bad situation.

Bud