It’s Not Personal – It’s Just Business!

by: Pat Mussieux

When you hear that statement, whose name comes to mind? It’s a famous “Donald-Trump-ism” and I use it a lot! I was listening, with great interest, last week (while at the incredible Trump International Beach Resort in Miami) to the words and descriptions that people were using when speaking about Donald Trump.

Don’t you find it fascinating to listen to how people comment about successful business people? Many people were talking about his love of luxury, his first-class standards and his wealth. Others spent time talking about his attitude, his arrogance and his sarcastic nature. He has a powerful self-image and that makes many people uncomfortable.

“All meaningful and lasting change starts first on the inside, then works its way out!.” – Lou Tice

One of the expressions we heard often last week was ‘you’ve got to get comfortable being uncomfortable’. When you set lofty goals in life, it is essential that you develop a self-image to match. I look at Donald Trump as a case study in this regard. I watch his show regularly because there is always something to learn – about goal-setting in a big way, about flexibility, creativity, resiliency, team work, communication – there’s always something I can take away and apply in my own business so I can reach my BHAGs! (big, hairy, audacious goals)

How is your self-image today?

Have you ever had one of those days when you woke up with the sun shining, your favorite song on the radio, your favorite pair of pants fit ‘loosely,’ and your spouse had your coffee waiting for you when you hopped out of bed? You had a big presentation planned and you pulled it off beautifully? Everyone complimented you on your success. Is this a dream day or is this perhaps a typical day for you?

The answer to these questions is the very essence of self-image. Self-image is the way you picture yourself to be. You have many different self-images which correspond to the many different situations or areas in which you interact within your everyday life and, each of those self-images can range from high to low. For example, in the area of parenting, you may see yourself as being a terrific, loving parent, and therefore, it would be said that you have a high self-image in that area. In the area of time management, however, you may feel that you are ineffective and therefore, you would have a low self-image in that area.

Your self-image governs and influences your performance. You will tend to act the way that you see yourself to be. Therefore, to increase your performance and thus your results, you must first raise your self-image relative to any goal that you may be attempting to achieve.

You achieve greater results when your self-image relative to your goals is high. Because your self-image can support or block your goal achievement, it is critical to identify the various levels of your self-image as they relate to your goals. Goal achievement is directly linked to your self-image. The more valued the goal, the stronger the self-image.

As an awareness exercise, rate your self-image in each of the following areas of your life (1 being low).

AWARENESS EXERCISE

Managing                    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Parenting                    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Social/Networking        1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Business                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Clients                       1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Colleagues                  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Spouse                      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Physical Health            1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Weight                       1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Appearance                 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Work Skills                  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Financial                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10


In the example we used earlier about the ideal day, one of your goals might have been “to get through your presentation”. A more powerful, and effective, affirmation about that particular goal would have been: “My presentations are eloquent and I am confident in my ability to effectively communicate my ideas.”

Continually review your goals and identify any areas where your self-image needs to be adjusted in order to achieve your goals. Continually affirm the life you know you deserve, and make those ‘dream days’ typical days for you. It’s so like you!

CONCLUSION

Our self-image plays a key role in our journey to success as entrepreneurs. The way we act, and do business, is a direct reflection of how we see ourselves. It is critical, each day, to do something to build our internal image of ourselves in all key areas of business: networking, marketing, public speaking, writing and so on. When there’s a struggle on the inside, there’s a struggle on the outside – awareness is the first step!

Posted in: Sales and Marketing, Personal Growth, Staying Positive