Create a Climate for Success by Mastering Your Total Image - Part 2

In part 1 of this series, we discussed your Total Image and the first of several essential components - Your Hidden Image. This month, we'll continue discussion your Total Image with the second component: Your Reputation.

Your Reputation can be defined several ways - according to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English language, there are three main definitions:

1. The general estimation in which a person is held by the public.

2. The state or situation of being held in high esteem.

3. A specific characteristic or trait ascribed to a person or thing, i.e. a reputation for courtesy.

All that said, your Reputation is one of the most valuable assets to your business and personal life. You must know - and be concerned with - what others are saying about you. Not to the point of obsession, but it is important to know how you are seen in your community.

One of the fastest ways to destroy a good reputation is to become known as someone who does not follow up their words with actions. Too often in today's society, business professionals who you hold in high esteem do not earn that standing because they don't follow through on what they say they will do.

How do you treat your clients? Can you state confidently that you treat all your clients with equal respect and courtesy? When trying to establish rapport and a relationship with a potential or new client, it is essential that you listen thoroughly and completely to what they are saying as well as what they are NOT saying.

Even after you've established a rapport with a potential client, never leave them feeling brushed off or unappreciated - they are likely to dwell on the experience and as in our previous installment, not only feel badly about how they've been treated, but tell 7 others about the treatment they received.

One of the ways you can encourage trust, respect and courtesy with clients is to maintain eye contact during your conversation. Your eyes are one of your most essential and important communicators - they speak volumes without you ever saying a word.

Looking your client straight in the eye communicates confidence, honesty and interest - all qualities you'd like them to associate with you and your business. Try to take brief breaks in your eye contact so the interaction doesn't become confrontational - you also need to gauge the other person's reactions and allow them time to respond.

Your Visual Image is equally important to your success as an entrepreneur - though you may see certain clients infrequently, there are many other aspects of your Image that must be dealt with: how your promotional materials reflect your business status and expertise, and even how you answer the phone.

As a rule of thumb, consider investing one month's income (not profit, income) per year into your professional wardrobe. Knowing you look good will go a long way toward helping others to treat you with the respect due your professional status. Take some time to choose your professional wardrobe, and build in some time and dollars for inevitable alterations.

Clothing is mass-marketed to an 'average' body type, size and height that may not even exist outside the world of 'fit models' used to check garment construction. If you are like me and have a 'real' body versus one of those airbrushed creations from a fashion magazine, you'll find that most clothing won't fit perfectly off the rack. Take the time and invest in alterations that won't add a ton to the cost of your clothing, but will make a huge difference in how you LOOK in the clothing.

Every day, you can make slight and subtle changes in your look that will move you from 'everyman' or 'everywoman' into the 'stylish, professional and business-appropriate' category. Take something you've previously worn (or recently purchased) and study it in detail.

This could be a suit, shoes, undergarments or accessories - try to see them with new eyes and use new combinations to create fresh looks with little or no cash outlay. Use your accumulated knowledge to purchase a business appropriate but different look the next time you go shopping, and don't forget - there are image professionals all over the U.S., Canada and the world who stand ready to assist you in creating a Total Image that reflects your professional status.

About the Author: Dianne M. Daniels is an Image & Color Coach, Consultant and Professional Speaker, and the author/publisher of "Polish & Presence: 31 Days to a New Image". She has helped individuals refine and define their personal and professional image, along with corporations and organizations. Learn how to create your Personal Climate for Personal and Professional Success at http://www.imageandcolor.com

More Resources

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Most of us don't want to admit we have a dark side. And from that dark side we do attract some ugly stuff.
Great Things Cannot Happen Without Change
If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got.It's critical that we realize our lives can change at any moment.
Once Upon A Time There Was No Money
Once in a while a book comes along that can change your way of thinking for the better. A book that free's the mind of its old limitations.
Five Ways to Sharpen Your Sense of Humor and Improve Your Relationships
Humor has long been considered one of the most effective tools to judge the quality of any relationship. If there is laughter present you can be sure the relationship is a healthy one.
Why and How You are Caught Up?
Speed Up the Evolution!1. Check the area where you are making greatest efforts.
What Image Are You Projecting?
I want you to think about something for a few moments. Do you have any perception about what sort of image you are projecting? I'm talking about the personal or professional image that you are presenting to the rest of the world.
Respect Is A Four-Letter Word
One of the most important needs for every human being is the need to be respected. It doesn't matter if you or anyone else is a corporate executive, host of your own television show, short-order cook, Wal-Mart greeter or stay-at-home parent.
Speak Up!
Ever been in a meeting with something important to say and remained silent? You may have felt the flush of the good idea and the rising adrenalin. You may have moved to the front of your seat and readied your body to speak.
Abundance or Scarcity: What Belief Do You Choose to Engage?
For the last several years, I have included on my email signature the following salutation "Peace and Abundance." This is a daily reminder that my success begins with how I engage my beliefs.
What Do You See When You Look In The Mirror?
'Image & Professionalism' we hear these words being thrown around in conversation like cheap tokens, almost as frequently as their counterparts 'quality', 'service', and 'value'. So what does 'Image & Professionalism' really mean, and what do you see when you look in the mirror?A funny thing happens when you overuse a word.
How To Be Interesting
Most people want to be liked appreciated loved and adored but why those same people are taken as boring while they try so hard?As you know by now, I like to make a point by telling stories and I have just the right story for YOU.This summer I had a cross country meeting in Athens, it was a very profitable year for me and I was one of the lead spokesperson.
The Universal Law of Attraction Never, Ever Goes On Strike
There are numerous sources on the store bookshelves and the Internet that cover the topic of how our Consciousness shapes ourreality through thought and feeling..
Limited Thought, Limited Experience
I was reminded once again the other day about how well we limit ourselves and take on the values of others and their limitations.I was in one of our morning sales meetings and just barely awake trying to concentrate on other things.
Courage to Change
This is a story about a woman we will call Anne, a thirty-five-year-old woman who concluded that she could never find a man. She determined that loneliness was her fate and thus went as far as accepting it as fact.
The Gift
Welcome to The Gift - a simple pattern that is both ancient as well asmodern, with a thousand and one uses, that can make the world a different place for you, for the people you love, for the people you don't love, and for those who you haven't even met yet.It may be that the act of giving The Gift can make changes at a far widerlevel too; as more and more minds become involved in this wonderful process, wemight well have the opportunity to permanently influence matters on a profoundplane of reality.
Pretending Your Life As You Want It - True Power Series
This is the sixth article in our "True Power" series. If you haven't been following the series, visit The ARTrepreneur to read the foundational material on beliefs before continuing.
The Law of Attraction and Love
The Law of Attraction says that 'like attracts like'. It means that whatever your predominate thoughts are will show up as people and experiences in your life.
How To Create The Life You Really Want
Australians are losing their laidback, carefree reputation, as we continue to work longer hours, exercise less and neglect our leisure and family time. Recent research indicates that 67 per cent of Australian professionals spend at least 20 hours a week thinking about their job when they should be relaxing, and less than half take their entitled annual leave.
Better Tame The Bull, Or, Youll Eat The Crow!
A man can stand a lot? as long as he can stand himself. Success is never Final and Failure is never fatal.
Law-of-Attraction Article: Wake Up and Create Something
It's time for the "mainstream" to WAKE UP. The alarm clock is ringing, they keep hitting snooze, and in the meantime, the life they could be living is passing them by.

More Attraction Information:

Related Articles

God Doesnt Say No...YOU Do!
There are a couple of things you've probably heard said overand over. The first is, "Why doesn't God answer myprayers?".
Your Gut Instincts & Ability to Get Along Quiz
How well do you understand how gut instincts - yours and others - influence likeability, decision making and even attention span? Want to find out? Here are nine questions. Some answers may surprise you.
Four Steps to Attracting More Good Luck
The Luck Factor rips apart the notion that luck is something that just happens. Dr.
On St. Valentines Day, Or Any Romantic Interlude, Woo Your Sweetheart With Chocolates, Roses...
On Valentine's Day, or any romantic interlude, lovers should woo their sweethearts with chocolates and roses -- but also a Leadership Talk.My experience in teaching the Leadership Talk to thousands of leaders worldwide for the past 21 years confirms that the Talk is a boon for leaders of all ranks and functions in their jobs and careers.
Success -- There Are No Secrets
There Are No Secrets To SuccessAs you strive toward accomplishing your goals and dreams you need to know that there are no secrets to success! Webster's Dictionary defines a secret as something kept from public knowledge; something mysterious that is beyond general knowledge or understanding. If that were true then it would mean success is only possible for those few who have access to these great mysterious secrets.
Your Default Settings
Buy a computer--any computer--and it comes loaded with software automatically set to certain default settings. For example, the default setting for Word is Times New Roman 12-point.
Appreciation Attracts Prosperity
Did you know that appreciation is one of the most powerful forces in the Universe for manifesting and attracting prosperity? According to teachers like L. Ron Hubbard (father of Dianetics), Abraham-Hicks and Drunvalo Melchizedek, appreciating yourself and your life can literally boost you to the highest vibrations.
Secrets Of Energy
Lotus dakini gathers energy.When wanting and grasping hold swayThe dakini has you in her power.
Your Authentic Self
Our journey through life can lead us to surprising and unexpected destinations. Life as in nature has no straight lines.
The Beast
What does one do when one is too old, too weak, and feels powerless and regretful? What does one do when one looks back at his life and sees nothing that was worth living for? What does one do when one sees the future coming to an end - the end of a journey? "The journey was not mine," said the old man. "What was that about? Why was I here? What was I suppose to do? Where am I going and will I ever come back? Come back to what, to whom and for what purpose?""What if I would come back, what choices would I have? What roads would I take? What would all this mean to who I will become once again? Would I live a life in fear, in a cage with limits, expectations and demands imposed upon me? Would I blindly follow instructions that would once again lead to destruction? Would I allow my soul to guide me? Would I let it grow, be nourished, and be what it needs to be? Or would I again stifle my inner core to waste, and to be lost as I had allowed it to be lost in this lifetime?"The old man sat under a large apple tree, leaned against its trunk with his legs extended in front of him.
Putting Yourself on the Road to Success
What separates successful people from unsuccessful people, achievers from non-achievers, winners from losers? Are people born that way or do they develop habits as they grow older which determine their stations in life?It would be fair to say that the answers to these questions are very complex ones. It is a combination of factors which include such things as your country of birth, when you were born, your IQ, your physique, your capacity to remember, your environment, your parents, your friends, your associates, the formal education you receive and the books you read.
Paradigm Shift
Good Morning! It's the Island outlaw here again. You know after my little tirade yesterday about Integrity and ethical behavior I felt compelled to speak on the subject of the paradigm shift in wealth consiousness.
A Minute of Deliberate Attraction is Better Than None
Before I explain why a minute of Deliberate Attraction is better than none, I'd like to begin by giving a definition of The Law of Attraction. Definition of the Law of Attraction: I attract to myself, whatever I give my focus, attention, or energy to; whether wanted or unwanted.
Are You a Sheep in People Clothing?
Many people, who feel that they are independent and communicate well, are actually sheep in disguise. Are you one of them, how do you tell and how do you go about changing if you are?When you are able to confidently stand on your own two feet, you become in control of your own life.
What to Do When Your Spouse or Your Friends are Negative?
This year (2004), I've completed over 64 seminars. And one of the most common questions asked is, "What do I do when my spouse, partner or friend is being negative?"As you practice Law of Attraction in your life, you become more aware of what you are attracting and start to understand that you can control what you attract with deliberate use of Law of Attraction.
Ten Ways to Add Abundance To Your Mind, Your Life & Your World
Abundance isn't something you find from the outside. Abundance begins within and radiates outward.
Create a Climate for Success by Mastering Your Total Image - Part 2
In part 1 of this series, we discussed your Total Image and the first of several essential components - Your Hidden Image. This month, we'll continue discussion your Total Image with the second component: Your Reputation.
Four Proven Techniques On How To Capture Positive Habits
Bad habits, we all have them. They keep us from accomplishing our dreams, make us say and do things that really aren't in our integrity.
How To Influence People
Most of your success in life will come from your ability to deal effectively with other people. Your success will be determined by the number of people you know, and who know you in a favorable way.
Create a Climate for Success by Mastering Your Total Image - Part 1
Your Total Image is made up of several essential components:? Your Hidden Image - attitude, honesty, confidence, self-esteem, knowledge, ability and experiences? Your Reputation - what others think about you based on past experiences; often second or third-hand? Your Visual Image - dress, grooming and external factors? Your Experienced Image - your expressions of courtesy and caring, your body language and communication skills? Your Proven Image - personal experience with you over timeThese areas must be considered and managed to ensure long-term success in your professional and personal life. In this article, we'll discuss one aspect of your Total Image: Your Hidden Image.