Transform Your Image And Accelerate Your Success

Being a lifelong student, I am regularly attending seminars etc. to become the best I can be in all areas of my life.

In the past year I have undertaken an Image and Brand Management Program with Image Group International and the knowledge I have gained and applied has affected so many areas of my life and my business.

Being a 'holistic' program it has encompassed topics like branding, colour psychology, personal image, inner image, communication and so much more.

In this article I'm going to focus on personal image and how it affects your results.

Do You Dress For Success?

Being an avid networker, I get to meet many people and am constantly astounded by the way the majority present themselves.

I met a ''coach' who raved about how successful they are and what they do for their clients. This person was at least 10kgs overweight, her chest was exposed and her clothes were very inappropriate for a business environment. If you were looking for a coach, would you consider investing in her services? She obviously had her own issues to deal with. What she said didn't match how she looked.

The accountant who called himself a 'wealth strategist'?he had a beard, looked very unhealthy and was wearing a tweed jacket?.what impression did he make? None. He appeared scruffy and obviously didn't take care of himself. How could he take care of other people's affairs?

In contrast to these people, the mortgage broker who was dressed extremely well in a tailored suit ,who obviously took pride in her appearance and looked confident and competent. If you were interested in borrowing money would you consider utilising her services? Of course you would. She gave the impression that she knows what she's doing. By the way, whether she is competent or not you'll only find that out if you do business with her. However if she cares about herself, chances are she cares about her clients and provides a good service.

Perception is Reality

Would you prefer to do business with someone who looks confident and credible? Whether we like it or not people will pass judgement on you within a few seconds of meeting you. They will make assumptions about you personally and your organisation.

Would I Do Business With You?

Think about it, what opinion would you form about a person who looked old fashioned, dressed in ill - fitting clothes and wore heaps of make-up? You'd probably think their ideas were old fashioned to match their image. And that also gives an impression of the organisation they represent.

What about the 50 year old lady I met who runs conferences and turned up in high-heeled shoes, short skirt, long hair and big dangly earrings?

Did she look like a competent and professional person?

What first impression would she create?

How about the manager who wears a cardigan, light grey suit and brown shoes. He also has a moustache. Would you feel confident using his services? Does he appear to be 'with it'? Would you think his organisation is up with the times?

And the personal assistant with the low cut top and tight fitting pants? Is she being perceived as a competent person and someone you'd take seriously? She may suit the image of a trendy organisation and yet what opinions would you form if she worked with you?

We've all seen or know of people like this. Perhaps it's you and you don't even know it!

Image in the Workplace

It's a serious business. Image Coaches are being hired by organisations to teach their people how to present themselves in the best possible way. How are you and your people perceived by your clients, prospects and suppliers?

Your personal image can be either positive or negative. It can accelerate your success or hinder it.

How to Transform Your Image

If you seriously want to enhance the results in your life, consider seeing an image coach. In fact as part of the services we offer, we've included image coaching as it has been so beneficial to many of our clients.

Some of the results achieved have been astounding. An accountant who was considered a 'pushover' by her staff and business partner had a total transformation. Because of her quiet nature she wasn't taken seriously. She also dressed in a way that reinforced her lack of confidence.

Since having coaching around her image? looking how to dress in a more flattering way with credibility and power, she is far more confident and has become very assertive. It's also made her look 10 years younger!

The image coach you'll work with will show you how to present yourself in the best possible way. When you look good, you feel good. When you feel good you attract people to you like a magnet!

So if you want to attract the right type of people to you in business and in your personal life, then this is definitely one area you should invest in.

If this is of interest to you, email lorraine@office-organiser.com.au.

The Final Word

Looking successful is just as important as being successful. Whether we like it or not, people judge us in a number of ways. To be credible we have to look like we know what we're talking about as well as having the skills and abilities to deliver.

Don't forget? You are your most important asset and you are worth investing in.

About The Author

Lorraine specialises in working with businesspeople showing them how to dramatically boost their productivity, reduce the stress and the mess in their lives and have more time for enjoying their life.

lorraine@office-organiser.com.au

---

D.I.S.C.I.P.L.I.N.E.

What does this word really mean anyway? According to Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition, discipline, as a noun, is defined primarily as punishment. My, but that has... Read More

Dare To Be Inconsistent, Lopsided, And Totally Courageous

I was talking to one of my coaching clients and she was talking about not being able to stay with a meditation practice, so she gave up... Read More

Strategic Checklists

I've been through a couple of checklists in the past few days, and it's reaffirmed my faith in their effectiveness as a communication tool.Now, there are at... Read More

Discover The Coach Within You

One of the three basic roles of leadership is the coach or mentor. The best boss is often the best coach. (See: http://tlc-leadership.com/the_three_faces_of_leadership). In sports the coach... Read More

Could You and Your Business Benefit from a Business Coach or a Consultant?

The surprising answer is "probably". Most individuals don't realize that a certified business coach or business consultant can add enormously to their home based or more traditional... Read More

Trump University - Why Success Education Is Important

Trump University recently unveiled offers a bonanza of success secrets, success tips and success insights.Donald Trump, of the Apprentice says "The one sure way to success is... Read More

Reduce Anxiety About Decison Making

What's the alternative to making decisions?Allowing someone else, or circumstances, to make them for you.And that is giving up control of your life. That's giving up all... Read More

THE Step to Working Smarter (Japanese Style)

Remember that Coke contest from the 80s? If you collected bottle tops that had the letters to spell T-H-E R-E-A-L T-H-I-N-G, then youd win a zillion dollars.Im... Read More

Self-contentment Leads to Confidence

Being self-content means accepting and acknowledging who you are at your core and becoming satisfied -- maybe not perfect, but satisfied -- in all areas of your... Read More

Executive Coaching Case Studies

If you are wondering whether investment in executive coaching would promote your business growth, some case studies might help you in making a decision.Although confidentiality prevents me... Read More

Helping Relationships: Understanding the Helpee

One of the most distressing observations I have made among my social work colleagues, is the overwhelming proclivity on the part of many of us so-called helpers,... Read More

The Executive Coaching Contract

Having found a coach you feel comfortable and excited about working with, the next step is to discuss and sign the coaching contract or agreement. This is... Read More

Unleash Your True Potential

Some time ago I attended a birthday party and met a young guy who just happened to be 30. I say young because when you're 47, that... Read More

Tips For Singles On Celebrating The New Year

It's four weeks away and you don't have any plans. Many of your friends will be away or out with their significant others. You can't believe it's... Read More

Being an Emotional Victim

None of us like to think of ourselves as victims. The term "victim" brings to mind a pathetic image of a person who is powerless. Therefore, It... Read More

Several Red Flags for Spotting a Phony or Scam

The world is full of phonies and scammers these days. They use various mediums such as phone solicitation, spam email, magazine and newspapers ads, TV infomercials, and... Read More

Life - Is It Just An Illusion?

It's a well-known fact that electrons and atoms move at the speed of light, technically flickering in and out of existence. In other words, half of the... Read More

3 Secrets to Developing Superior People Skills

1. If What You Are Doing Is Not Working Change Your ApproachWhen I was in school I always had a small group of close friends but I... Read More

Making Changes in Your Personal Life

Making changes in your personal life can be a tough process. Change starts with a thought. It cannot begin without one. However, what we think and dream... Read More

Going Beyond Life Coaching

In Corrogue the air is chill and the frost is on the ground.On these autumn mornings the spider's webs are glistening like each was arrayed with diamonds.... Read More

The Incredible Rightness of Being

An Age-Old QuestionSearching for more meaning in our lives has been an age-old preoccupation for us humans. Why am I here? What am I meant to do?... Read More

Why a Self Help Book May Not Help You

For a self help book to work, we have to read right it through to the end. While this may seem like a no-brainer, many people never... Read More

The Great Marketing Reframe

From grimaces to stomach knots, talking about marketing seems to take on the sound of Charlie Brown's teacher, with so many syllables of "wah WAaah, wah WAah,... Read More

How to Jump-start Your Emotional Health

You've probably heard the expression: "It's not what you're eating. It's what's eating you!" This well-known saying reminds us that the thoughts we entertain can have an... Read More

Email Etiquette 1

I thought it might be worth visiting some email etiquette for all as the majority of the readers of this newsletter are now on email.It is important... Read More

4 Underused Hot Spots for Your Personal Branding Iron

I'll never forget what my mentor told me: "Don't communicate in any way to any person without the stamp of your personal brand."Everyone has a personal brand,... Read More