Discover Your Best Self … and Stick with It!

We’ve all heard the phrase “Image is everything." I believe that image is developed from the inside and enhanced by our outward presentation. By that, I mean that how we feel inwardly is usually projected and reflected outwardly. If we feel great about ourselves, we will want to present our best outward appearance. This book is divided into two sections to discuss both Inward and Outward Images.

Many of us live our lives searching for the formula to success. We often find ourselves looking at others who we feel embody success and think we can copy their blueprint. Success to you could be the 3-time Academy Award winner, the 4-time Super Bowl MVP, or the Citizen of the Year for your local community organization, as success can be identified or defined in many ways. What I have found is that we each have our own set of expectations as to what success looks like. What seems like success to one may not be what defines success to others.

The book is to help direct you in Discovering Your Best Self so that you will bring your A-game every single day to achieve the success that you want. Doing this will give you the best chance to accomplish all that you desire in life. Your goal should be to let those around you see you at the top of your game, regardless of the environment that you’re in, and never allowing yourself to be deterred by negative circumstances, which could inhibit your growth. Always have the confidence that you can achieve your objectives regardless of the barriers that are placed in your path. It is also important to use basic tools including etiquette and manners to encourage a positive perception of yourself to others and help you as you navigate your career path.

I’ve traveled to many places, have met many people, and have been exposed to a variety of cultures thus far in my life. I’ve noticed inconsistency in how people present themselves. One day someone looks like a million dollars, the next day they look like one dollar. I’ve seen someone give the most motivating speech at one venue, yet give a boring presentation at another. Discovering Your Best Self means identifying the formula that allows you to be at the top of your game in every facet of your life all the time, every time. It means finding the source of motivation that will encourage you to stay sharp and relevant in any environment. We only have one chance to live our lives and achieve the success that we all want and desire. Life, it’s said, “Is not a dress rehearsal.” Identifying our best selves gives us the chance to reach heights that some only dare to dream about. Don’t dream. Do.

As you read the different sections of this book, think about the tips and suggestions I provide. Evaluate what has worked for you in the past to accomplish a major or minor achievement. Use this book as a guide to establishing a winning image. I don’t want you to think that this book will guarantee your success in life; nothing can do that except your own conscious efforts. The prerequisite to the most satisfying careers, family lives, and great health is hard work. There are no short cuts to being the best of the best.

While I believe in working smart, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the smartest solutions are the easiest roads to success but what we labor for today will provide dividends tomorrow. Case in point: more often than not the quality time we spend in the gym working to lose weight or maintain a healthy life style will in fact enable us to live longer and healthier lives. On the job, the time you put into preparing for a presentation, (that you hope will win you the contract or promotion that ultimately changes the game for you or your company), will be well worth the rewards and recognition that come after.

As we work towards discovering our best selves, it is also imperative that we understand that bringing a positive mental state to our game plan is essential. In Part II, Inner Image, I will discuss self-awareness and self-reflection, skill sets that are extremely important.

Emotional Intelligence, understanding your emotional self, will also be explained. Accepting who you are naturally and your genetic makeup, along with what you have learned from your environment, and knowing how to channel your positive energy is very important in being well rounded. It takes discipline and more to be able to create a plan that will get you to the finish line and take you beyond.

Find the formula that makes you the best in all that you are and all that you do and stick with it!