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Today's Image Enhancement Idea

These ideas are taken from “How to Have a Powerful Persona.” Follow the recommended advice and you will find your image changing daily for the better. To purchase this publication, which also shows you 101 ways to have a magnetic image, click here for the Vast Visions™ for Victory store.

1. Your physical image, as well as your internal image, greatly influences others. Many authors teach the secrets of interpersonal communication. There are two main elements of connecting with people: trying to find something in common with the other person, and trying to make them feel better.

Finding something in common and relating common goals and obstacles can be the initial glue to get a conversation started. We tend to like people that we can relate to in some way.

The other way we can connect with others is making them feel good. We can compliment them sincerely, assist them in some way or share humorous anecdotes or stories.

Today, make someone feel better by complimenting them sincerely. Also, find and share a common trait or hobby with someone. See how much fun you can have discussing common interest, goals and experiences. Be positive.

2. There are several helpful hints about communicating with people. Besides the obvious of not discussing politics and religion, there is a plethora of suggestions.

First and foremost, however, is the belief that you can be a good conversationalist. If you have trouble believing in yourself, boost your self-esteem by reviewing the recommendations listed in this publication, or check out other books in the library or bookstore.

You can be a great conversationalist, if you aren’t already, with practice. Believe that you have the experiences and compassion to share your thoughts.

Today, start a conversation with someone other than your friends. Yes, talk to a stranger. Talk to someone who is not threatening, someone you have probably seen before and that you wanted to talk to eventually. This is your excuse. Your homework is to talk to that stranger.

3. Along with sex, weight, height and race, dress and grooming play an important role in first impressions. Style your hair and choose your clothes based on how they fit you and not just because they are in fashion.

Dressing appropriately—not extravagantly—supports our self-esteem. Notice I said SUPPORTS and not develops our self-esteem. Some people erroneously think that clothes make the man or woman. Clothes and good grooming will give you a facelift, but the sound foundations of character and personality must exist to look attractive.

Today, examine and update your wardrobe. This is a wonderful homework assignment for those who are shopaholics. For those who do not like to shop, consider how the clothes you already have can be matched to be more appealing to you. Consider changing your hairstyle.

4. Starting a conversation can be difficult at times because we do not know how the other person will respond. We do not like to look foolish. Here are a few tips to help if you suffer from verbal impotence.

Seek out individuals who seem non-threatening.

Comment on the commonality of the following situations:

• If you are waiting in line to a movie, say something like, "This movie must be good if so many people want to see it."

• If you are waiting for a bus and just arrived to the bus stop, say something like, "Did the bus come yet? It is so punctual that I can almost set my watch with it."

Compliments followed by a question can be an effective way of starting a conversation:

• "What a nice garden! Did you plant it yourself?"

• "My, you sure look nice. How long have you had that brooch?"

Today, write down ten phrases that you can use in different situations. Each should have a compliment and a question.

5. To continue conversations, ask ‘how’ questions:

"How did you decide to go into this field?"

"How were you able to manage those things at the same time?"

Offer your own experiences or stories that support or contradict what was said.

Today, think of some “how” questions that create a long response. Think how you could prolong the conversation with your experiences. Think of some “what if” questions also. Have fun.

6. When you ask questions, four things happen:

• There is a change of focus.
• There are changes on how we look at situations.
• There are new resources to be acquired.
• There is a change in momentum.

Questions change our focus and therefore, our state of mind at the time. It can change what you are concentrating on or, if you ask someone else, it will change his/her focus. It will interrupt that person’s pattern and possibly bad behavior.

If we are angry with someone, we can ask ourselves:
What can I learn from this, even though I am upset?
What do I respect about this person?

Today, think of at least five questions that can be asked in different situations, that you can ask someone to change their focus or topic. Be kind, but firm.

7. Laugh easily. It makes people relax and makes your face glow. Don’t overdo it, or you’ll come across as insecure or insincere.

Watch your humor. Avoid jokes about race, disability, sex and so on. Tell jokes about yourself or pass on humorous stories that anyone can enjoy.

Today, make someone smile or laugh through a clean joke or a funny story about yourself. Think of at least five humorous stories to tell in different settings.

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