Attitude Is Everything

Do you feel successful?  Do you feel like a powerhouse?  Do you command a room?

If you answered no to any of these questions, you may have just cracked a small piece of the code as to why you are not as successful in your business as you would like to be.

Have you heard “fake it till you make it?”  Even though it’s a funny adage, it really holds true in many situations.

As humans, we inevitably give off vibrations of energy.  It is in how we walk, talk, hold ourselves and interact with others.  We are often even unaware of our body language and the kinds of energy we are putting out in the world.  This is a crucial piece of any entrepreneur’s success. 

It’s very Darwinistic and animalistic but true.  People are, after all animals and animals can smell fear. Are putting out bad pheromones and is it affecting your business?

Answer yes or no to these questions:

1. Do you like networking?
2. When you go someplace new does it make you nervous?
3. Do you fiddle in meetings?
4. Do you keep eye contact with people when you talk?
5. Is public speaking your biggest fear?
6. Do you cross your arms in front of you when you take a meeting?
7. Do you use like or um a lot when you speak?
8. Do you dress frumpy or in clothes that don’t really fit?
9. Do you have good posture?
10. Do you have a strong handshake?

If you answered no to 3 or more of these questions then there is a great likelihood that your “vibe” may be hurting your business.  You may be asking yourself, “Well what can I do to fix it?”  While there is no quick fix, here are some tips that might be helpful.

1. Network with a friend.  They will help break you into the conversation and make you feel less self-conscious.  It’s always nice to have at least one friendly face in the room and you can talk each other up.

2. Ground yourself.  Before you enter an event or meeting, take a few deep breaths and envision yourself successfully working the room.  The power of visualization, while it may sound cheezy, total works!

3. Slow down.  It is a dead giveaway that you are nervous when you start to increase your speech speed.  Breathing can help calm you down, but just being conscious in the moment of your nerves and making a concerted effort to slow down will make a huge difference.  You will exude confidence and people will hang on your every word…even if underneath your suit, you’re sweating buckets.

4. Be present.  Consciousness is key.  Knowing what your weaknesses are is one thing, but recognizing them in the moment and taking steps to change them is a whole other challenge.  If you feel yourself losing control step away and bring yourself back to the present moment.  Take a breath and step back in.  We often lose control because we get too much indie our own heads or think we know what others are thinking.  Just being comfortable in your skin, you will start to attract others. 

5. Get a stylist.  There are so many great stylists out there who aren’t expensive and who can do a one-day makeover for you.  Even if you aren’t a fashionista, it’s important to take the time to recognize your power colors, what size you actually should be wearing, and what pieces in your closet need to be sent to goodwill.  A great stylist can improve your self-confidence which will have a great impact on your business. (See Laurie B Style)  

6. Take a public speaking class.  There are a ton of organizations out there that are dedicated to helping you get over your fears.  Toastmasters is a good one, or there are individual coaches both business and media who can help you conquer your public speaking demons.  You’ll be commanding an audience in no time!

At the end of the day, practice makes perfect.  Now that you know your faults, make an effort each and every time you go out to practice these tips and try and improve a little bit each time.  Whether it’s breaking into an ongoing conversation or introducing yourself to the Keynote speaker, you will start to build your confidence and see improvement in your every-day business.  And if all else fails, you can always buy that pheromone perfume!