Act As If…

Today is Tuesday, so this post is on positive personal impact.

I subscribe to Brian Tracy’s Personal Success Newsletter.  The December 16 issue was entitled Accepting Yourself Unconditionally.  Mr. Tracy lists actions that will help you become accept yourself.

• Understand what makes you tick.
• Be honest with yourself.
• Do an inventory of your accomplishments.
• Think about your future.

I agree that these are four actions well worth taking if you haven’t already done so.  Mr. Tracy’s also says:

• “Your own level of self acceptance is determined largely by how well you feel you are accepted by the important people in your life…When you believe that other people think highly of you, your level of self acceptance and self esteem goes straight up.”

This is the main point I want to make today.  When you feel good about yourself, you are better able to have positive personal impact.  People with low self esteem seldom have good impact.

Debra Benton is a friend.  She is a consultant and executive coach and has written several books.  My favorite is Executive Charisma.  Debra offers some great advice on positive personal impact in that book.

• Be the first to initiate.
• Expect and give acceptance. 
• Ask questions and ask favors.
• Stand tall, straight and smile.
• Be human, humorous and hands on.
• Slow down, shut up and listen.

I second point, “Expect and give acceptance” goes to the heart of what Brian Tracy is saying.  People with good self esteem expect to be accepted.  This expectation of acceptance allows them to have positive personal impact.  They are accepted by others because they expect to be accepted. 

This means that the first two points of my career and life success model – self confidence and positive personal impact – are intertwined and reinforce one another.  It is difficult to have positive personal impact if you are not self confident.  On the other hand, the positive manner in which people react to those with positive personal impact reinforces their self esteem.

The common sense point here today is “act as if”.  Act as if you expect to be accepted, and you will be.  This acceptance will increase your self confidence and help you make an even stronger personal impact.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leadership and running a small business and to get an ebook version of my book 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.