Assertiveness is a quality of those who are successful…and successful people are found in all walks of life–something I strongly believe as an Image Consultant.
When you are assertive you gain the respect of others, you get more of what you want and you don’t feel as frustrated or irrigated with others.
Assertiveness is the ability and willingness to speak up for yourself, and to make your viewpoint hear and known, without trampling on the rights or feelings of others.
(Photo by Rebrand Cities).
There are many ways to be assertive. Today, as an Image Consultant, I want to describe the markers of physical assertiveness:
The ability to look and act alert and enthusiastic,- A person who is well dressed and groomed,
- An upright, relaxed posture,
- Smiles easily and genuinely,
- Enters a room confidently,
- Offers and gives a great handshake (pre/post Covid),
- Holds head up high
- Looks people in the eyes,
- Exhibits relaxed, expressive, open gestures,
- Feels free to act/touch another appropriately,
- Remains in control of emotions,
- Chooses their seat of choice,
- Leaves at an appropriate time,
- Takes the initiative to speak up, introduce themselves and others,
- Delivers their points with gusto.
Part two of being assertive is being confident in the way you dress and interact with others. In the same way as your behavior what you wear affects other people.
Making an effort to look your best every day shows not only that you have good self-esteem it also shows respect for you, the organization you work for and your colleagues. What are some examples?
- Being assertive and confident in your image translates to your style and grooming. Always being clean, presentable with great hygiene shows you have high self esteem. It’s not an accident at all that mental health professionals say the first sign of someone with depression is lack of hygiene or a shift in their overall appearance.
- Thus, even on those days when we don’t have to show our best to the world we should be clean and dress in a neat way. This includes going over to the gym for a workout. I am sometimes guilty of this — not always wearing my best workout clothes even though they are always clean. I have found that buying good quality, colorful gym wear makes my workout even better, and I feel great wearing the soft fabrics and fun colors. In fact, these clothes are some of the best investments I have made in my wardrobe.
Discover how to look, feel, and act your best every day with a professional style consultation. When I meet with people as an Indiana wardrobe consultant I help you evaluate your best shapes in coloring, best colors and most needed pieces. For instance I swim and workout at a gym a couple of times a week and bought a warm velour dress for just traveling there and back. I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed that piece!
If you’d like more information about we can work together to improve your image and style, reach out to me at beth@bethdivinestyle.com.
Keep it sassy, Indy.
Beth Divine, MA, AICI-CIC,
Image Consultant
