Maximizing the Total Image
by Sheronde Glover
As individuals, entrepreneurs,
and small business owners we are faced with schedules
that allow very little time
for self. Each day that we spend on our jobs, building businesses,
caring
for families, and serving
our communities provides us with the opportunity for self
examination and self enhancement.
This is a time in which we can reflect on who we are and
what type of image we are
portraying.
.
Our image is a powerful,
influential tool that is projected wherever we go. In all situations
and circumstances we represent
ourselves and are viewed as a package - a combination of our
internal and external being:
our intellect, our attitude, our dreams, our talents, our mental
and physical state. Our
image is reflective of the total us - mind, body, and spirit. During
the
time that we are completing
our daily tasks we must take an assessment of what our images are
saying about who we are:
Are we displaying our confidence as we initiate conversations ? Our
energy and concern for our
body with a healthy physique? Our commitment with timely, kept
appointments? Our friendliness
and customer service relations with a pleasing smile? Our zest
for life and love for what
we do with laughter? Our intellect with good conversation?
Regardless of how hectic
our lives may get we must maintain a positive image because our
images mirror everything
else we do: how we run our businesses, how we relate to our
co-workers, and how we react
with our family and friends. If our image is not positive both
inside and out it begins
to show in the things that we do. In Genesis 2: 27, it says: So God
created man in his own image,
in the image of God created him; male and female created he
them. What an inspiration!
To know that we were created in God’s image, an image of
perfection, can only provide
us with the enthusiasm and desire to be the very best that we can
be. With this information
we must begin to understand that we have all the necessary tools and
ability to complete and
do whatever it is we are trying to do: start a business, get a
promotion, become more physically
fit, be a better person, etc.
In order to begin improving
our images we must first take an assessment of who we are. We must
begin to define ourselves
and ask these questions: What are our talents, abilities, gifts? We
all have strengths and they
were given to us to be used and to be shared with the world, to be
a benefit to our everyday
life. Once this is determined we must then begin to acknowledge and
take stock of our goals.
Again we must ask ourselves questions: What are our aspirations and
dreams ? We must remember
that we will only go as far as we allow our mind to think that we
can go. Benjamin E. Mays
said it best: It must be borne in mind that the tragedy of life
doesn’t lie in not reaching
our goals. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn’t
calamity to die with dreams
unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream. It is not a
disaster to be unable to
capture your ideal, but it is a disaster to have no ideal to capture.
It is not a disgrace not
to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach
for. Not failure, but low
aim is sin. We must dream and we must reach for all the things that
are available to us and
for us.
Once we are in tune with
self, our growth and development begins from there. We must build our
minds, our bodies, and our
spirit. To begin building our minds we must obtain knowledge and
wisdom. Knowledge is the
accumulation of information. Wisdom is the ability to use our
knowledge effectively. In
an effort to build our minds we must continually seek information
and knowledge and
take the perspective of learning something new each and everyday. In all
situations we have the opportunity
to develop ourselves mentally. Reading a book, engaging in
conversation, listening
to educational or informative programs are just a few examples of how
we can accomplish this.
Our goal should be to continue to learn and research and use our
intellect to build self,
then others.
Not only should we begin
to build our mind, but we must build our bodies as well. A healthy
body reduces stress and
the potential for illness. Exercise and proper nutrition makes us feel
and look better which has
a great effect on our interaction with others. We can begin to
balance this aspect of our
life by taking in more nutritional foods and beginning a simple exercise
regimen. The results will
be astounding.
Understanding who we are
and what we want and developing our mind and body, naturally uplifts
the spirit. Attitudes
begin to change and we find ourselves wanting to do more and be more.
The key to unlocking the
depth of our spirit is to reach within and allow ourselves to take
hold of the power we have
as individuals. Understanding that we are limitless in our abilities
to believe, to dream, to
hope, and love allows us to build ourselves and then transfer this
energy from self to others.
.
Our mind is a vehicle for
our hope, desires, and dreams. Our body is the tool we use to carry
these things out. Our spirit
is the manner in which we do so. Together they make up our image
---all encompassing, collective,
all self, all us.
Copyright 1998, Sheronde
Glover, M.Ed. All rights reserved.
This article may be reproduced
or copied with this copyright notice and the complete contact
information regarding the
author.
Sheronde Glover is the CEO
of Glover Enterprise, a comprehensive image enhancement and
consulting company. |
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