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

---

Creating Your Character is Like an Artist Creating a Sculpture

(excerpted from the Cultivating an Unshakable Character series)Could creating your... Read More

The Good Luck Recipe!

Good luck was not part of my life for many... Read More

How We Evolved Into An Un-Charming Culture...(And What To Do About It)

Charm did not play a very large role in that... Read More

Are You Attracting Prosperity, Happiness, & Your Hearts Desire OR Just the Opposite?

If you are not manifesting success and prosperity or whatever... Read More

Afloat on A Sea of Abundance

In the days of the mighty sailing ships, when brave... Read More

Harvest Moon Lessons

The full moon in September is often bigger and brighter... Read More

The Revolution Begins When YOU take Control

I'd like to share a story with you about two... Read More

Rising Above the Average

There is nothing more motivating than reading a story about... Read More

Insecurity, Dont Get Sucked In Because Women Dont Like It

Woman hate a man thats insecure. They hate a man... Read More

A Sweep of Vanity: How To Burst Your Own Bubble

"Hoy-day! What a sweep of vanity comes this way!" --William... Read More

Ten Ways to Add Abundance To Your Mind, Your Life & Your World

Abundance isn't something you find from the outside. Abundance begins... Read More

4 Important Conversation Tips for Your Personal and Professional Lives

If you are searching for a way to improve your... Read More

Use Your Vibrations of Energy to Communicate

In the past, I have touched on the connection of... Read More

Getting What You Want Most From Other People

Very often in relationships we do not seem to be... Read More

You Teach People How to Treat You

So often we hear people ask the question, "Why does... Read More

Opportunity Knocks 1000 Times

You've heard people say that opportunity only knocks once. I... Read More

Reminding Yourself of Prosperity

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Thoughts are things and... Read More

Power Affirmations Are Not Enough

I hope this article finds you safe and well. I'm... Read More

Self Improvement and Self Growth

Nowadays the terms self-improvement, self-growth and self-help have become popular.... Read More

What Do You Want This Year?

Christmas is all around us, and many people are making... Read More

The Chi of New Homes: Feng Shui-ness and Destiny

When my wife and I were searching for a new... Read More

How to Play to Your Strengths

Are you clear on your unique qualities, talents and personal... Read More

Ending the Internal Conflict

If you read personal growth or self-help books at all,... Read More

Two Principles That Can Change Your Life Completely

First principle: You and the universe is one.In order to... Read More

How To Get Lucky

Would you like to get lucky? There are at least... Read More

The Manifestations Of Self

A man is captive within himself. He dwells in a... Read More

To Be Or Not To Be, Visible That Is...

Stepping outside your old limitations and 'out of the box'... Read More

The Big Secret

"Within you is the power to change your life"Lately I've... Read More

You Attract What You Are

It's been said that, "To attract attractive people, you must... Read More

Basic Intuitive Timing for Business and Life

"There is a tide in the affairs of men, which... Read More

What is Intution and How do I use it?

Intuition is an incredible resource and gift that we have... Read More

The Inner Critic Unveiled

Watch your thoughts; they become words.Watch your words; they become... Read More

Law of Attraction and Dreams, Premonitions or Predictions

Recently, I received an interesting email in which a woman... Read More