Posted by on July 6, 2008 under Uncategorized | 
Your Visual Image tells others a lot about you!
We live in a visually acute and critical world where first impressions leave indelible judgements.
You are judged as to who you are in society, on your level of self-esteem, success and confidence, the talents you possess, your personality, your disposition and your destination all through what others believe they see.
Your clothes are part of that image. They can camouflage, cover-up, build or destroy your image.
Together your clothing, posture and facial expressions combine to form silent but extremely powerful communicators.
IMAGE COMPONENTS:
An Effective Overall Image Is:
Credible
Confident
Attractive
Consistent
Harmonious
Appropriate
Positive overall
Other important that shape your ultimate image are:
Self Worth
Skills
Appreciation
Experiences
Religion
Culture
Motives & Desires
Values
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Here are five areas listed below that would help in getting the results you want. Each is important and adds to your total image
Inner Image
Assumed Image
Visual Image
Experienced Image
Proven Image
INNER IMAGE:
This is who you are!
The inner self that guides you in everything you do, think and say. It is hidden from others and is formed over your lifetime.
Your hidden or inner image is formed by the experience you have, your culture, your social background, education, spiritual growth, gender and your own personality.
Each situation, conversation, and social or business interaction is met with your inner thoughts to guide you on how to think, act, and react to these situations. Your actions, words, and thoughts are all attributed to your inner self and what you expect to happen. Your projection may be one of defence, warmth and acceptance, defiance and neutrality.
While you can mask who you really are inside and how you would like to react in certain situation you cannot keep it up for long.
The good news is that you can change the areas that you would like to be different.
When you understand what those areas are, you can decide to work them out and change your inner self to one that helps you navigate through life in a more positive way.
ASSUMED IMAGE:
What others know and expect of you is also known as your REPUTATION.
Your reputation will precede you!
Everyone has a reputation that will either help or hinder their goals. Sometimes reputations are unfounded and other times they have been earned.
Your reputation can either pave your way to success with glowing images or stop you dead in your image to assure success in any field.
You can never stop others from talking; however, you can consciously project an image and behaviour that sends the right messages about who you are and what you stand for.
So when rumours surface that are not what you want to hear, you must manage your reputation and get it back under control. Self-positioning in the market place sets you up for others to approach you. Be in control of your reputation and create an image that invites others to seek you out. And allow people to ask you questions and educate people along the way.
VISUAL IMAGE:
Your best asset is your visual image.
The first impression stems from the visual, if your first visual impression leaves your audience flat, it will be hard to repair the damage.
More than half the impressions left on others are due to how you present yourself in your dress, posture, facial expressions and general grooming.
You must present the image of a professional in order for those around you to assume that you are. Even if you may posses all the qualities you need for your profession such as talent, education, personality and intelligence, if you don’t look the part it will be difficult to convince others as to what you do and what you stand for.
EXPERIENCED IMAGE:
Experience or being comfortable with yourself plays another big part in your overall image.
Learn to master your interpersonal skills, communications and your own personal management.
The more ease you have talking to people and being in front of an audience, the more comfortable you will feel and the faster you will grow as a professional.
-Promoting yourself and your business is the key to your success.
-Always leave a positive impression and consider that each person has the potential to blossom into a great and lasting professional or personal relationship. Leave a positive impression that invites others to seek you out again and again.
An experienced image also means having sound organisational skills.
Organise your time and your office so that you are more efficient, never forget an appointment and always allow time to get out and promote yourself and your business.
PROVEN IMAGE:
The last element is your proven image.
Your assumed, visual, and experienced images have gotten you places in your career. What have you done with your career? Have you always been on time? Have you always performed to your highest potential?
Your proven image is the record of what you have done over time.
Your reputation is based on the facts of your career.
Each time you perform to the height of your potential, you enhance your proven image; each time you don’t it will suffer.
Always strive to do your best with the knowledge that the next job will be filled with people who know your proven image.
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For Starters…Your image is much more than what you wear!
Have you ever noticed, within every corporation or business, there are those who stand out, get the promotions, special assignments, and generally have an easier time working up the corporate ladder. They seem to have something about them that tells you who they are the minute they enter the room. Those who have the same and sometimes better skills and knowledge are continuously passed by in favour of those with that special quality of total image.
The fact is, as much as we would like for it not to be true, your total image may be even more important than your skills. This is not to say that you don’t need to have great skills, but when you look and act the part of a successful corporate or a business person, you are projecting the qualities that others are looking to find in a leader. Successful people have mastered the skill of total image knowing that it makes them credible and polished to those around them. They make a professional first impression and with a pleasing harmonious look, they often come across as an authority in their field. They appear to be prosperous, honest and knowledgeable in their field.
A Total image management plan can help anyone achieve personal and professional goals by discovering how to project the image you want and what you want others to think of you.
Most of us know that we are judged by our image and we all know this is unfair, however, in reality, most of us judge others whether it is intentional or not, we all judge people by the way they present themselves.
As the saying goes, ‘first impressions are lasting impressions’ – this is one reason why it is desirable to always present yourself by looking and feeling your best.
And when you look good, you feel good!
