Invest in yourself

Sometimes we continue to dress from habit and never realize that we have moved on and become a far more sophisticated or successful person. Unfortunately, we are judged by the way we look, and many women continue to wear the staid blazer jackets and white shirts they wore at university. This collegiate look shouts that you are an inexperienced greenhorn, and you are likely to be treated as if you are not very high-placed nor informed in the working environment.

The way you look announces the outcome other people can expect from you. You may be highly talented and capable, but if your image doesn’t shout this to the world, you could be dismissed by others before they get to discover how dynamic you are. When you change your image to conform to the person you are deep inside, you CAN change your life! The problem is most people’s True Self is buried under years of habit.

Think you know what looks good on you? What makes you look dynamic or successful? Think again! My thirty years’ experience suggests that most people choose colors and styles from the “heart and soul” and not from the results in the mirror. Ultimately, we can remain very objective about others, but it is nearly impossible to be objective about ourselves.

Changing your image is like changing countries. There’s some culture shock involved. When you’ve been used to hearing your own language and speaking it quite easily, it is disconcerting to have to pay very keen attention in order to understand what others are saying. It’s the same with image. We are used to the same old face in the mirror, and when serious changes are made, it is sometimes disconcerting. Most of the people in my group image workshops think that everyone else looks fabulous with their new look, but that they do not. The new colors are not for them, the lipstick is too bright, or they like the new ties that are suggested but are reluctant to toss out the “powerless” ones.

Change of any kind requires repetition. This is as true for learning a new habit or task as it is for image changes. In most cases, it takes about a week to get used to a new hairdo, new makeup, new colors or new clothing styles. However, it only takes a day to get used to compliments. And, ultimately, that is what convinces most people to stick with it. It is all too easy to go back to our comfort zone, but unsolicited compliments from strangers as well as friends eases the discomfort of facing that stranger in the mirror.

In a sense your image is a Power Predictor. It announces whether or not you have authority, credibility or success. If you are ready to make a big change with your image, seek advice from an expert or from a trusted friend. When you change your image, you can change your life!