Overcoming the topic of Image!

Image is everything!  Many of us carry around a self-image that doesn’t really jive with the facts. That can be devastating to our careers.  After all, how we look in our mind’s eye really determines how successful we can be in dealing with other people. For example, if you have an overly negative self-image – you feel that you’re too tall, or overweight, or unattractive in some way – you’ll lack confidence, and others will easily catch on. On the other hand, if you have an overly positive image of yourself – you think you look terrific, when in fact you’re a sloppy dresser who’s badly in need of a haircut – you’ll be blinded by a false sense of confidence and make decisions, actions, or statements about yourself that might lead people to question your professionalism …and even your sanity.

You are the Billboard for your Company or Business!

Like it or not, you are the “billboard” or face of your company or business.  So it is important for you to understand that you are selling YOU – first and foremost.  If you have a good sense and belief of whom you are and what you are offering, people will want to listen to you.  People trust people, not just products and services.  You are your biggest asset in the company.

Confidence sells!

Honestly take inventory of who you are.  Make a list of the pros and cons.  Where do you rock and where do you not?  Include the following:

-          Personal Hygiene – Do you have an updated hair style? Does your breath smell?  Do you have a white smile?  Are you clean shaven or do you wear appropriate make-up?

-          Dress / clothes style – Do you dress for success?  Are your clothes in style?  Do you wear what is appropriate for your business setting?

-          Image – Do you speak clearly?  Do you refrain from using curse words?  Do you give people eye contact when communicating?  Do you smile?

-          Attitude – Are you an open-mined person?  Or are you the “My way or the highway type?”  Are you Positive most of the time or do you see everything in a negative light?  Are you approachable?

It is important to be honest with yourself when you go through these steps in order to be successful in what you do.

Get an Honest Opinion

Ask your friends, family and associates their opinion of you.  Be open to what they have to say.  Making some adjustments to improve yourself will help you to overcome those barriers that may be holding you back.   Don’t delay – once you make these necessary changes – you will begin to experience success in all you do!

Paula Morand is a dedicated wife, mother and lover of life.  She is the Founder and CEO of JumpStart 720, an award winning leadership coaching company that is committed to powering life by engaging individuals, companies and communities to more intentional living.  For more information:  www.jumpstart720.com

It was a big wake up call for me one day only a few years ago when an esteemed business colleague asked me to sit down so he could understand what I do as a company.  Are you kidding me?, I thought to myself. I was running a very successful company and had served hundreds of clients and yet this wonderfully skilled and bright business person was unsure what our company did.

He was very aware that we had made impact in the community and that we had a very good reputation. He knew our people were top notch and that I, as the Owner, had enthusiasm and a passion for helping people succeed.  However, he still didn’t understand what we offered.

That question was a gift on that day. Here I was specializing in sales and marketing and helping clients build a stronger business and a better profile for themselves but yet somehow, I was missing the boat? I went away from that discussion with my mind racing, knowing that question most assuredly hit my PAIN spot.

“Clarity breeds consistency”
-Paula Morand

Although initially perceived differently, this was an issue I had been struggling with in growing my own company. In the midst of all the strategic planning, I realized it was time to re-invent ourselves. You see, giving yourself a TIME-OUT once in a while to re-invent yourself is essential.  This allows you time to not only review where you have been, as well as your strengths and weaknesses, but it also allows you to wipe the fog from your glasses…to really see what opportunities are out there for you to grab and what barriers might be in the way.

Don’t be afraid to hit the pause button once in a while – momentum is only good when you’re heading in the right direction.

Paula Morand is a dedicated wife, mother and lover of life.  She is the Founder and CEO of JumpStart 720, an award winning leadership coaching company that is committed to powering life by engaging individuals, companies and communities to more intentional living.  For more information:  www.jumpstart720.com

A “720” is your fulfilled life – your way. It’s success and happiness, on your own terms. And LIVING 720 is you, actively taking that journey towards your dream; pursuing a life that has passion and purpose. Really, a life that is Unleashed for Impact.

After a fabulous interview with Richard St. John, author of “8 to be Great“, here is what I found out about the common traits of success people:

1. LOVE WHAT YOU DO: Find your passion, follow your heart and the money will follow.

2. GIVE IT YOUR ALL: Hard work is really the key in moving yourself forward.

3. PICK a LANE: Get on the road that is right for you and focus on becoming great at one thing.

4. PUSH through SHYNESS: Just because you lack self-confidence on the inside doesn’t mean you can’t be confident on the outside.

5. CREATIVITY is IMPORTANT: You can‘t come up with THE life-changing idea until you have practiced with a few thousand ideas. Learn to embrace the process.

6. PRACTICE makes PERFECT: The only way to improve is by repetition. Get good at what you do and then try and try again.

7. SERVE OTHERS: Adopting this philosophy will produce a boundless return. Put your ego aside and start serving others; you will be amazed at what happens.

8. PERSISTENCE is KEY: Success doesn’t happen overnight so don’t give up. Press onward to seeing your vision come to reality.

Paula Morand is a dedicated wife, mother and lover of life.  She is the Founder and CEO of JumpStart 720, an award winning leadership coaching company that is committed to powering life by engaging individuals, companies and communities to more intentional living.  For more information:  www.jumpstart720.com

There are times in your life when you meet people that just leave an imprint. This is one of those times for me. Over the past month, I have been travelling to a number of locations for the Entrepreneurship Expo. During this time, I have had the pleasure of sharing the main stage with Richard St. John, a self-made millionaire and Owner of the St. John Group, a world class marketing company in Toronto, Ontario.

What struck me about Mr. St. John was not his status, but rather his ability to remain humble. His new book, “8 to be Great” focuses on the 8 great traits that 500 of the world’s most successful individuals have. His goal was to share with others how simple it can be to overcome and gain success in one’s life. He spent 10 years conducting interviews all over the globe and capturing information as he set out on a quest to answer the question, “What makes people successful”.

What really impressed me though were his stories and experiences in meeting others and through his passion of running with his wife. He has summitted mountains, completed marathons and is simply focused on moving forward.

Great job Richard St. John! You are a winner in my book.