I’ve been busy writing my forthcoming book “Equity-Rich Women Online: Learn to Leverage and Leap Your Way to Wild Success” and I’m SO excited to be able to share my business philosophies in a bigger way that I’m celebrating by sharing this excerpt:

Dress for Success – On the Inside Too!

“Dress for Success” is common advice.  And if acted on, its advice that supports creating and experiencing long term success.

Dressing for success is an approach to being in and doing business that fuels great first impressions, boosts marketing confidence and more.

But, there’s a catch that not a lot of people talk about…

The phrase has become so common that it carries along with it a preconceived definition which can ultimately take our focus away from the big picture.

Think of it this way…

It’s like a coin sitting on a table. One side is facing up, that’s how we know it’s a coin but without the backside, the part of the coin that’s not visible, the coin holds no value.

The “other side of the coin” I’m referring to is your INNER image of success.

The common knee jerk reaction is to focus on the external stuff…

Hair, clothing, eye wear, handbags, website design, business cards, brochures, and on it goes…

But the reality is that there is a synergy that exists between our inner and outer image. One without the other impacts our success experience.

Synergy = the working together of two or more people, organizations, or things, especially when the result is greater than the sum of their individual effects or capabilities. The “things” in this case are inner image and outer image.

So the external stuff IS very important but becomes diluted if our inside isn’t dressed for success too. I’m referring to our thoughts, intentions, goals, authentic definition of success and so on.

The typical entrepreneur invests major resources (time, energy, money) into the external image probably because it’s the easiest to take action on, heck some of it can even be delegated… and even better, set it and forget it.

And avoiding it isn’t the solution either because if that synergy doesn’t exist and if one image is stronger than the other there’s an imbalance that often manifests in the form of self-deception and sabotage.

You’ve either experienced it or witnessed it… the person who looks amazing on the outside, their marketing materials and website rock but they don’t seem to be experiencing much success. And it’s likely due to an imbalance because they neglected the other side of the coin.

So, here are five things you can think about and do now to make sure you have a balanced image (inside and out)…

1. Define what success means to you. Often we adopt other people’s definitions unknowingly (usually the result of comparison) so it’s really important to check in with yourself on this frequently.

2. Clearly define where you (really) want to go. What are YOUR goals? What are you striving for? Write down what you really want… both short term and long term.

3. Commit to Self-honesty. It’s astonishing how good we can be at self-deception. Pay attention to your self talk; to the excuses you make and to any discrepancies between what yous say you want and what you’re actually doing to get it.

4. Check in with your attitude and intention. Whether we are discussing life or business, coming from a “what’s in it for me” attitude is a relationship killer. Instead, think about how you can add value and increase to the lives/businesses of others. What goes around comes around.

5. Nurture positive thoughts. Similar to #4 and a message worth repeating. Most people don’t like to spend time with negative people; chronic complainers or bullies. Did you now that up to 80% of self talk is negative? Learn to recognize the truth in your self talk. The negative self talk is a natural reaction to fear – an attempt to keep you safe. Unless the fear is justified this natural tendency doesn’t serve our quest for success.

To your success (inside and out!)

~ Gina xo