Inside-Out

Over the years, I've written extensively on the subject of introspection and how, by taking a look at ourselves from the inside, we can begin to better understand what drives us, why we do certain things, and why we react the way we do under varying circumstances. 

In my writings, I have described some of the ways in which we can "go there" and explore our inner selves and reach a point where true introspection occurs.  I hope you've been able to experience the intimacy of gaining that perspective and getting to know yourself better by using some of the methods I've covered.  If you've missed those articles, I encourage you to peruse the archives to see what resonates with you. There's lots of great content available! 

Today, I'd like for us to consider an alternative method to gain a different perspective of ourselves - one that's often overlooked and unrecognized.  That perspective comes to us by way of other people and how they see us. 

The value of how others see you can sometimes be a tough pill to swallow.  Think "personal judgment". Yikes! It is especially tough to discover we're not as perfect as we may believe we are. Let's face it, our own self-acknowledged shortcomings are difficult enough to accept and expose our vulnerabilities to some extent.  Nonetheless, the outside perspective has value and merit as a source of insight into the various aspects of our persona when the ultimate goal is to gain complete introspection. 

In many businesses, the personnel system requires the supervisor and subordinate to meet in private to discuss the performance evaluation of the subordinate worker.  It can be an uncomfortable process for either party.  If conducted properly, however, the feedback process offers an external perspective on how the recipient is viewed by others.  Still, it can be tough to hear that, in spite of all the praises and accolades, there exists inevitable room for improvement. Everything discussed has the potential to play a role in helping to provide a useful perspective, which leads to introspect, and ultimately, to personal improvement and development.

No matter how hard we may try, seeing ourselves from an outside perspective provides an incomplete picture if we attempt to conduct the process alone.  We are said to have a "Johari Window", or a perspective that simply and effectively hides or disguises the truth about some part of our external selves, from our personal viewpoint or knowledge.  One of the four Johari Windows is that area known (and seen) by others but hidden from our own field of view.  It's this window that, if openly accepted for what it offers, can play a role in providing a more complete perspective of who we are as individuals. 

The ultimate goal of introspection is to improve the synergy and quality of our lives by getting to know ourselves on a deeper level. Consider taking an honest look at how you are perceived by others.  Ask a trusted friend to be honest with you about how you're viewed in varying situations and circumstances.  As uncomfortable as this may seem at first, it is one of the best methods to acquire a complete picture of your true self. Accept all of the feedback humbly (the good and the not-so-good) and be honest with yourself.  After all, just about anything can be changed, altered, or improved. 

Here's to an open window leading to a fresh new perspective and your personal growth. 
Take a deep breath!


Until next time...

- G -

"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom."

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What's Your Brand?

 

When people hear your name do they immediately think of certain qualities you portray? Does your reputation go beyond those who know you personally? Your personal brand is how you appear to the world. It is the essence of what separates you from everyone else.

       You may not think you have a brand, but you do. Every action you take, every opinion you proclaim, and every social media post you make shapes your brand.

It’s a Brand New World

 

If you wish to develop yourself, your career, or community standing you must not only be aware that you indeed have a brand, but you must also manage your brand to come across in the exact manner you intend to be portrayed.

Every one of us has the power to create and conscientiously improve our personal brand. How you manage your personal brand will determine how others view you, whether or not they will do business with you, and ultimately what level of influence you have. Like it or not, your personal brand plays a critical role in shaping the level of success you have in life.

“Be yourself, because everyone else is already taken.” ~ Oscar Wilde

       Every strong brand is based on truth, sincerity, authenticity, and passion. Your personal brand will crumble if it is not based on these tenets. There is no other way around this without the threat of eventual compromise to the brand…and to your reputation. Trying to project anything other than your true self will result in frustration and sheer exhaustion. So relax, be yourself, and enjoy the ride as you project the genuine passions you already have.

 

       Is your brand working for you? If not, it may be time to re-brand. To do that, you must first determine just what it is you’d like to be known for. What sets you apart from everyone else with similar backgrounds and interests? Are you particularly good at something? Do you have broad experiences that generate interest or a following? If so, great start. If not, consider some or all of the following elements as you shape your brand into something that connects with your audience.

What is your Superpower?

Your Superpowers are the things you do better than anyone else. These are typically your natural gifts or talents, but they can just as easily be those skills you develop based on your passions and interests. Because these are the things you do with little effort, you may have a tendency to take them for granted or overlook them. Don’t miss the opportunity to use your superpowers to your advantage when crafting your brand.


What drives you?

Your passions energize you and can make you attractive to others. Your passions evoke a real and noticeable connection to an informed position the likes of which others perceive to be an authority. Use that passion and form it into a well-respected brand.

 

Knowledge projects power. Power attracts attention. Attention is the essence of brand recognition. CAUTION: the wrong kind of attention will destroy your brand. Be careful to keep drama, chaos, and overt opinions at bay as you craft your brand.

Every tweet you send, every picture you post, every opinion you offer incrementally reveals what you value and lends itself to establishing your brand. Understanding how your posts influence your brand is critical in guiding the direction of your brand.

       The strongest brands are those that generate trust, hope, enthusiasm, drive, determination, compassion, and other positive ideals that lift the human spirit. Does your current brand speak of qualities that support these tenets? The good news is that everyone has a chance to project a strong brand. Everyone has a chance to be a brand worthy of remembering.

What do you value?

Your values are your operating principles. They drive your brand and support the integrity of your word. Your values are directly connected to your conscience and affect how you feel, behave, and react. When you are living in alignment with your values you are energetic, confident, and happy.

      

Your personal brand is influenced by your connection to other brands. Look for strong brands and align and leverage yours by associating yourself with them. Look for the hidden opportunities that are available to you to support, get involved, or connect with strong brands.

 

       You must know your values and strive to operate in alignment with them if you are to have a strong brand. Do your social media posts support the brand you are trying build? Do they confuse, conflict, or clash with your intended brand messaging? To create a strong brand, all aspects of your life must be congruent with the intent of your brand and to the values you support.

What is your purpose?

An entire narrative can be written on this one question. Each and every one of has a purpose on this earth. Our purpose is connected to WHY we feel we are here and WHAT we will leave behind in terms of a legacy. You may not feel as though you have a legacy to leave behind, but in varying measure, we all do.

       Your purpose helps you to identify what to pursue and to the extent you will go to make an impact. Purpose is typically connected to some kind of service. To discover your purpose, think about your deepest hopes, dreams, and desires, and connect them to service. Be quick to recognize the thoughts that move you emotionally, spiritually, and compassionately. Doing so will lead you to the discovery of your purpose. Finding our purpose is perhaps one of the deepest connections we can have with our innermost self. Discover it and the path to your legacy will be revealed.

Offer genuine value.

       People are attracted to things they value. If your brand projects value, it will resonate with the masses. Strive to offer the greatest value in everything you do. Offer positive, uplifting, and empowering messages, products, and services that improve the lives of others, and do it better than everyone else. Don’t resist the tides of change. Change is inevitable. Avoid or resist it at the risk of your own peril.

“For things to change, you must change.”
     ~ Jim Rohn

Whatever your mission or objective in life, projecting the right brand is everything. In today’s world, the question is no longer IF we have a personal brand, but whether you choose to define and cultivate your brand or allow it to be defined for you.

       A strong personal brand is something you must be consciously aware of and is dependent on a strong narrative. It rests on the story you have created for your life. It must be well cared for, consistently monitored, and adjusted as necessary. When you begin to see yourself living through the lens of a brand, your perspective will change and you will become more mindful about how you approach the personal brand you are trying to define and aiming to live.

 
Until Next Time...

~ G ~


"If people like you, they will listen to you. If they trust you, they will do business with you" ~ Zig Ziglar

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Check out her wise, knowledgeable, and often entertaining perspectives inside the edition of Gals in Blue.

 

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Get your copy of Gary's first novel Dream Operative, a #1 Amazon.com Best-Seller! NOW AVAILABLE on Audible.com!

FEAR Is a Thief is on Amazon.com and NOW AVAILABLE on Audible.com too! This inspiring book is the first in a self-empowerment series that was written to help people get past fear using five fundamental truths as a basis for understanding and taking action for a better life. Get your copy today at: FEAR Is a Thief/Amazon.

Also be sure to check out: KEY HORIZON, the second novel in the G. Weston spy series. This thriller is receiving rave reviews across the spectrum and has captivated a new following of "spy-fi" readers. 

Order your copy of these exciting novels today at Amazon.com.

 

Time Value of Money

If you’re younger than thirty years old, you possess the single most desirable component of the investing universe–time. Time is the one factor that is the most powerful when it comes to your money growth.  If you haven’t yet hit the big 3-0, you have a lot more going for you than you may realize. A little sacrifice now can produce huge rewards for you over the next several years if you follow a few basic rules. So, in essence, you have an investing advantage that a lot of “older” people don’t–time.

 

To make the most of the advantage of time and money during this phase of your life, you should consider these 5 basic truths. Apply them and watch the essence of your financial outlook take shape before your very eyes.

 

1.      Start Now.

There’s no time like the present to radically affect the future, especially when we’re talking about your financial future. When I was twenty-four years old I was fortunate enough to have a friend, a mentor, who stressed the importance of starting early when it came to investing for my financial future. After I had exhausted just about every excuse I could muster on reasons not to invest, he introduced me to the magic of compound interest. It was all I could do to contain my excitement.

I began by reconstructing my finances and my way of thinking. Doing so put my financial future on a very different path than it was on. I started by putting aside $25 per payday. At first, it was one of the toughest things to do. Not so much because I needed the money, but more because I was used to consuming the entirety of my paycheck on things my family and I “needed.” Since then, I’ve learned quite a bit about recognizing a true need from a fleeting desire. What a difference it has made.

I gradually increased the contributions to my savings. My first goal was to be able to save 10% of my income. I managed to hit that goal rather quickly, not because of pay raises (although with every raise since then I have put aside a portion for savings) but because the desire for financial freedom was stronger than the desire for immediate gratification.

As the amount of my savings grew I became even more motivated. I increased to 15% and then to 20% and to a figure that you would likely find difficult to believe today, all while increasing my standard of living.

If you simply cannot see a way to set something aside, keep reading. Perhaps some of the remaining concepts will help you to discover areas that’ll free up money within your personal budget so you too can start now. Remember, nothing begets nothing; while something compounded increases itself. In other words, if you do (or save) nothing, nothing is exactly what you’ll have. Absolutely no one cares about your money like you do. Take control now!

 

2.  Live within your means.

One of the toughest financial concepts to control is the ability to live within our means. Oftentimes, it takes more of a psychologically disciplined approach because of the inevitable competing demands for our money, not to mention our appetite for a quality lifestyle.

As we begin to make money, most of us tend to begin building a lifestyle just beyond what we can afford, effectively living outside our means, because after all, we expect to get raises and grow into a lifestyle. Why not push it a bit to “get ahead?” We begin to rationalize our desires by re-labeling them as needs. What occurred to me over the years as I was saving a significant portion of my income was the fact that I never felt as though I had sacrificed my standard of living. My family and I simply became accustomed to living well within our means while validating the relevancy of desires versus needs. Buying a car, getting married, and purchasing a house are just a few of those needs. Here’s a tip: no one really cares what kind of car you drive. Sure, the BMW hard-top convertible is nice, but is it worth sacrificing your financial future for? Keep in mind that a car is among the biggest obstacles between you and the success of a secure financial. Apply the car example to just about any aspect of the concept of living within your means and you’ll quickly realize the essence of the magic behind this truth. By the way, some people never realize this foundational truth. So master it and watch how you soar past your peers as they wonder just how you’re doing it.

 

3.     Pay down debt.

Every dollar that’s tied up in paying down debt is one less we can use to save for the future. Create a plan to reduce debt by devising a plan and sticking to it, which will, in turn, allow you to allocate more money toward your savings. This concept could not be truer than for credit card liabilities. Find a way to reduce or eliminate your credit card purchases. Few will disagree on the amount of stress credit cards can bring into our lives. Take control as soon as humanly possible. Transfer balances from high-interest cards to those with lower rates. Ideally, find a card with a 0% introductory APR, and pay the balance off in full before the zero-percent interest clock stops. And seriously consider how your next credit card purchase will affect your savings plan the next time you feel compelled to use it.

 

4.     Fund retirement accounts.

Building a solid foundation for retirement right now is critically important. With compound interest rates accumulating over time, until retirement, the principle amount you have to save today to meet your goals pales in comparison to amounts you’ll need if you wait. By starting now, versus the less desirable alternative of waiting, you effectively “automatically” increase your gradual standard of living simply because of the power of time. Should you decide that waiting is your only alternative, it is still a better choice than not investing at all. Realize however, that the time value of money is extremely difficult to recoup and is a rather expensive missed opportunity. The amount of money one must invest in order to compensate for a “late start” increases exponentially over time. Why not act today while you have time on your side along with the advantage of tax-deferred (and in some cases, even tax-free) growth opportunities that comes with retirement accounts?

Put aside as much as possible into your retirement plan at work and at least enough to receive the maximum match your employer offers. Not doing so effectively results in a net loss to your bottom line because you miss out on “reward” money your employer is offering for your commitment to save money for yourself. If you can squeeze out even more money from your budget, contribute to a Roth IRA as long as you qualify for doing so.

Make a promise to yourself and enlist the commitment of your partner to ensure the money you’re saving for retirement won’t be used until then. Sure, you can take money out of a 401(k) or IRA before you retire if you absolutely must, but there’s generally a penalty–and taxes, too–for doing so.

 

5.     Change your financial mindset.

For some of you, retirement may seem like such a distant concept. And, for those fortunate to say that, good for you! Allow it to be a green flag that gives you permission to begin your journey toward a secure financial future. The sooner you get started, the better off you’ll be…the further ahead of your peers you’ll be, the sooner you can claim financial independence, quit your job, spend time with family, play golf, drive what you want to drive, live where you want to live…how you want to live. By adopting sensible money habits, conquering your debts, and saving for retirement early in life, you’ll reap the reward of a secure retirement.

Until next time!

- G -

"Time has a way of reminding us of its perishable nature in the retrospect of our reflections."

Gary Westfal -

 

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