| Clean
out the closets of your life. Have you ever looked at the clothes in your
closet with a critical eye: the bargain shoes in the wrong color; the expensive
suit you got on sale that never fit; the "great" shirt that was a gift
from someone you love?
I had
all of those items in my closet. Then a wardrobe consultant friend came
over and made me clean out the clothes that didn't fit or that no longer
represented my self-image. It was an exhilarating feeling. Now the clothes
I wear make me feel and look great, and project the image I like.
Your
clothes closet isn't the only hiding place for negative things in your
life. You have a self-image closet too. Take a serious look at what you
find there. Try cleaning it out. Throw out ideas that no longer fit your
lifestyle or your experiences.
Clean
your closet of certain old friends as well -- the ones who have become
acquaintances. Too often we spend our energies with people whose interests
have grown apart from ours.
Clean
the negative people out of your life's closet. Some folks cannot accept
your achievements, insisting it's only a "fluke" when you finally attain
a great goal. Their own insecurities require them to shoot other people
down. It is time to let them know you are proud of your achievements, and
then move on to someone who will support you in your endeavors.
Closets
may be hiding places for our outmoded clothes and ideas, but they are also
where we store the building blocks for our daily lives. Don't let them
get cluttered with outdated ideas.
Patricia
Fripp CSP, CPAE is a San Francisco-based professional
speaker on Change, Teamwork, Customer Service, Promoting
Business, and Communication Skills. To learn more about Patricia, as
well as save 20% when you order her audio/video programs
Million Dollar Words: Speaking for Results, Preparing
and Presenting Powerful Programs and/or Confessions
of an Unashamed, Relentless Self-Promoter, go to YourSuccessStore.com. |