How is my Image?

This is an excerpt borrowed from Walking Tall by Lesley Everett

If you want to improve your personal power and impact, you first need to look at the image you currently present and establish what you like about it, what you dont like, what works and what doesnt. Because no matter how powerful and assertive you may feel inside, it is the non-verbal messages yo give out that can initially propel you forward to greater success, and without which you could get left behind in a competitive environment.

An easy way to explain personal image is to use the "Johari Window", which was developed by two psychologists, Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham. It makes the process of understanding yourself clearer and easier to achieve, and provides a great basis for improving the impact you make on others.

The Public Self is the part of you that you are happy and confident about showing to the world. It is the part that everybody knows and understands about you.
The Private Self is the part that only you know about--the elements of you that you are not necessarily happy to share with others, but it can also contain your goals and dreams. Only your closest friends and family get a look at the Private Self.
We all have Blind Spots - these are the parts that others see about you that you cannot see about yourself. Last, there is the Unknown Self, the untapped area of your personal potential which is unknown to you and to others.

With the aim of improving your personal image you need to look at the private self and tap into areas of your personality - what do you want to achieve and what do you want to project to others? Then, by looking at your public self and your blind spots, you can establish those elements of your appearance and behaviour that are working towards this goal and those that are holding you back. By becoming aware of the blind spots, both negative and positive, you can improve your projected image, personal power and inner confidence. Having analysed the public self and blind spots, you can start to uncover the Unknown self and to unlock some of the unknown potential you have for enhancing your personal image.

I will continue to cover the portrayal of image because this is an important topic that is overlooked by many. Trust me...education and skills are not the only things that can get you a job. So I will provide some tips that can better you image and hence better your chances of getting that dream job.

Hoseah Njuguna
empowerkenya@gmail.com
0734 609 741