"Acting 'as if' works better than any kind of thinking, because when you’ve done something, you feel proud of yourself—even if you didn’t do well" is a quote by Barbara She from her book, I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It.
'Act as if' sounds better than 'fake it till you make it' and the concept is basically the same. Often in life we need to set the right impression for ourselves in order to find the success or next evolution we are looking for. I call it Impression Management. It is important to succeed in finding the impression we want to make on ourselves, in order to feel good, to go out into the world and achieve the change we want to see. Normally when we think of impressions, it is about how we are perceived by others. For me, impression management means looking in the mirror and seeing the sort of person we are creating and embracing that person, supporting that transition and making it feel as good as possible. The reason I wear a suit is because it makes me feel good, professional and sharp. In Opera, I wore the costumes that were asked of me and played the characters I needed to. I never got to wear a suit day to day as it wasn't in my companies culture. Now my character is me and I am in control about what this version of David wears, how he feels, acts, thinks and proceeds in the world of being an Entrepreneur. This choice empowers me to create the change I want to see, to be empathic with others and to act as if more professional and sharp. The positivity and energy I bring to my clients is as a result of cultivating some very deliberate habits. From the shoes I wear, to the briefcase or satchel I carry, I send a message to myself which then sends a message to the world. What does your image say about you? In order to help you feel better and to grow your self-impression consider the following -
Whatever happens in your day, if you at least 'act as if' as Barbara Sher says, you can feel proud of yourself. You can know that you have tackled the day in a more positive way and that you have given yourself the best impression. No one else is going to do it for you and no one really cares whether you do or don't. It is up to you to make the best of your own situation, so you need take care of the impression you give yourself. No one will do it for you and if you rely on the compliments of others for self-esteem and courage then stop. Give yourself courage and self-esteem by knowing you are setting and deciding on what impression to make in the world. 'Act as is' and very quickly you will become the person you want to be.
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AuthorDavid Corcoran is a Executive Voice Coach. He helps people take responsibility for their communication. This Blog contains his regular musings, thoughts and ideas. He is based in Vienna, Austria. Archives
May 2020
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