How to Create a Winning Personal Image

The image that we project goes a long way to influence people and if we want to have any success in life, influencing people is a prerequisite. To make a sale, we have to influence people, to get a promotion, we must influence people, to implement any agenda that we may have, we must influence people and the image that we project is the medium that will determine, to a large degree, our effectiveness in influencing and motivating others to our way of thinking.
First it must be understood that the personal image is not primarily addressed to the left brain logic but to the right brain emotions. We feel a person's image much more than we coldly analyze it. A person is "seen" with the heart and not with the brain.
It must also be remembered that our interpretation of a personal images is determined by what is called an "a priori." An a priori is a deduction made from past observations and conclusion. In other words, we evaluate what a person's image means to us by automatically comparing it to our previous experience of similar images.
As and example, most people would see a chubby person as being jovial and easy going. Such a conclusion is not based on facts but on previous experience and popular notions. An image is exactly what it says, it's an image and not a reality so it can be rebuilt, modified and enhanced to our advantage.
When working on the personal image, the first consideration must be the target of the intended image. What will appeal to teenagers will be vastly different than if the business or professional world is targeted. The rock star image will go quite well with teenagers while Donald Trump will be more fitting in the business or professional world.
The image presented will be perceived mostly by the senses and it must appeal to what's needed and wanted by your targeted community. That is, if you are a businessman, you must look like a prosperous businessman who does not have a care in the world, talk the part and walk it. However, if you are in the community service you cannot afford to go around in a Rolls Royce wearing $3,000 suits. The image must fit the community.
The best role models for the personal image are the people who are successful in your field. These people should be studied, copied and emulated as much as possible.
The personal image is the tribune upon which a person stands to deliver his message. It is the lens through which a person is judged, cataloged and perceived. It is the "you" that the world see, accept, reject or ignore. It is your personal brand for all to see. A lot of your successes and failures depend on it. So, treat it well, improve it as much as possible but don't get bent out of shape if it happens to be rejected by some.
You can't please everyone every time. So, don't overlook the positive many for the negative few. Create the best possible personal image and wear it proudly. It's your personal trademark for all to see so make it a good one.
Dr. Raymond Comeau aka Shamou is the Author of ShamouBlog and Administrator of Personal Development for Personal Success Forums.
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