UKM-GSB- It Only Takes 7 Minutes to Change How People Perceive You

Do you know how other people perceive you? Can you impact that perception, either positively or negatively? Of course you can! If you want to make a more positive impact on those around you, give me the next 7 minutes and I can help you turn the negatives into positives.

Pen and paper in hand, write down every adjective you can possibly think of to describe yourself. Yes, you need to list both good and the bad adjectives. And make sure to cover all the categories you may fit into...business owner, manager, employee, parent, sibling, child, friend, co-worker...all of it.

Now read the list top to bottom. Do you have any more to add? Dig deep and write five more words to describe yourself. It's OK, I'll wait.

Now cross out the negative words, keeping only the positive.

Next, use all of those positive words and weave them into a written biographical narrative about you. Don't be shy! Nobody is watching.

Here is an example to get you started...As a dedicated member of my sales team, I am a hardworking, trustworthy employee. I strive to make valuable contributions daily, to keep my priorities straight and stay focused on my lofty and achievable goals. I am a great spouse, loving parent and the best friend anyone could ask for. People ask for my advice and opinions because they see me as a caring, objective and supportive person.

Got it?

OK, start writing! I promise nobody is looking over your shoulder. Challenge yourself to take the whole page to describe all of the positive attributes about yourself. I promise, it will only take 7 minutes.

Done? OK, now read it out loud. Yes, out loud! How does it sound? Does it sound like a person you would like to know? More importantly, does it accurately portray the person you would like people to see when they think of you?

Everything you have written is a powerful testament to what you truly believe is possible. This was written using your words, nobody else's. It is how you want people to see you. And since everyone's perception is their reality, you now have a working document to help you make that reality come true.

In order to have the confidence to show others who we truly are, we must first clearly define who we believe we are. You would not have written all of those descriptive adjectives down if you didn't think they were true.

Taking this powerful step is truly a step in the right direction. Keep digging deep to get to know yourself and daily make the commitment to being the the best you can be!