4 Self-Perceptions Can Improve Your Career

Is it any wonder the better you feel about yourself, the more fulfilling your relationships are and the more empowered you feel in your work? It shouldn’t be! If you think about it, your own self-perception is the biggest driver of how others perceive you. It makes perfect sense that if you feel good, you project a positive and upbeat manner – other people are drawn to that.

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4 Self-Perceptions Can Improve Your Career

Human nature indicates people like to be around those that make them feel happy, successful, and good. If you feel good you give off vibes that attract others – smile and the whole world smiles with you - frown and everyone around you frowns. Want to improve your career? Check out my top tips for "feeling good and spreading the love" to facilitate strong relationships that translate directly to positive career choices:

1. Give A Little, Get A Little

One of the single biggest ways to improve your job prospects is to network with other people. How you network is a critical component to success. Interested in getting help from someone influential? You need to give that person something first. And no, I don’t mean give them 50 bucks – I mean something they need. Look for ways you can add value for that person; you will then be in a much better position to solicit help – or, even better – they might offer. One of the best ways to increase your circle of influence is by providing something yourself first. I am not usually big on quoting scripture, but “give and ye shall receive” has always worked for me.

2. Dress For Success

It should come as no surprise that others like to be around good-looking people. I am not making this up – studies show that those who present better get offered positions more often. They way you carry yourself and how you dress is directly correlated to how you feel about yourself. If you look put together, you will feel better about yourself; the chances your positive impression will come across to those around you will vastly improve. As a result, your self-perception will improve. I think you get the idea. The point is when looking for work you need to put your best foot forward in all areas to drive your success.

3. Realize A Stranger Is A Friend You Haven’t Met Yet

I know it’s difficult to just start a conversation with someone you don’t know. How many times have you been in an elevator and said hello to someone? How many times has that led to a full-blown conversation? You didn’t know that person before stepping into the elevator. BUT, you could very well end up developing a valuable friendship from a short exchange. I even have an example! Many years ago, my husband’s ex-wife was in a post office in New York. She gave some assistance to a man who was visiting from Holland. Their brief conversation turned into a 20-year friendship. When he and his family come to the States, they visit with her (and vice versa). Is this an extreme example? Maybe. You never know though where or when you will encounter someone that you are in a position to help – or who is in a position to help you.

4. Establish Your Personal Brand

Your personal brand and perception in the market is critical to facilitate your success. You want to create a demand for YOU. The idea is to generate recognition so others perceive you as valuable, in the know, a resource. You need to present yourself in a way that engages others so they are interested in pursuing you. Establish your presence as someone who can deliver – consistently. Demonstrating you are a valued resource will go a long, long way in establishing your personal brand. This in turn will generate interest in you. Deliver what you say you are going to deliver. Follow-up with people. This will ensure when your name is mentioned only positive things are shared and spread. The bottom line – look your best, act your best, feel your best and you will be your best; and those around you will be their best, too. You will end with a spiral of goodness that makes everyone perform at the top of his or her game. Smile and see what happens – my bet, is you will be surprised at the impact (for the better). Photo Credit: Shutterstock