I was just telling a client of mine to be herself for an upcoming interview and then I saw this great post from Chris Brogan (linked here). When something resonates a few times during the week I figure it is worth sharing.
Why Not You?
It is often alluring to mimic or imitate someone else who appears to be doing well and has “got it going on” when you don’t know what to do or feel a lack of self confidence. When I was first figuring out how to write a blog I looked at a lot of bloggers, especially those that were doing it well. You’ll notice that I group my posts in blocks with headings and use photos (mostly from Flickr creative commons, love this) and this is very similar to Chris Brogan. But that is where the similarity ends. I have a totally different business and blogging style and continue to figure out who I am as a writer and blogger.
It is the same in my coaching, consulting and speaking. Learn from the masters and then try out what works well for you; it is all about using your unique style combined with the best practices that you learn from others.
Be the best you, no one else has that ability on the planet.
When You are Not at Your Best: Act the Part
You may have those days or weeks when nothing seems to be going as planned or as well as you imagined. You feel like a shadow of yourself and yet you have a big interview or meeting with your boss or a potential client.
How do you bring out the full you that is hidden in the shadows? Remember a specific scene from the past when you felt happy, confident and filled with success. Picture it like it is up on a movie screen and replay all the details, feel the positive feelings in your gut. Practice this as many times as you can before the event and then bring up those same feelings and step into that role when you have the interview or meeting. I’ve also shared this with clients who are not thrilled about an upcoming networking event. They report that they had a great time afterward. It is amazing how useful your imagination can be to bring out the best you even when you are not feeling at your best.
A final note, I am very appreciative of Chris Brogan’s sharing in his daily blog and continue to learn by reading his posts. I share his blog as a resource any time anyone asks me about how to write a blog.
How do you go about being your best? Please share in a comment.
photo credit: Roger Lynn