A message from Sandy. Looking within ourselves is an essential part of self awareness, but without the ability to see yourself as others do, we won’t know what we’re communicating about ourselves to others.  Ever wonder if what’s going on inside you has told your face and your body on the outside? Or worse—maybe it has! How we appear is essential for communicating the right things about ourselves,rather than leave it up to the interpretation of others.

Too often, we get caught up in whatever is happening around us. If we are not aware of what we are thinking,or feeling at the time a situation manages us instead of us managing the situation. Be aware of how your feelings affect what you are communicating outwardly. What do you look like when your energy drops? What do you look like when you are concentrating? What you are feeling inside is not always what’s showing on the outside. For instance, when you get tired, your body language may suggest you are bored,when that may not be the case.

How do I appear?

• Facial Expression— Am I smiling? Are my eyes bright? Or does my expression look flat or even angry?
• Body Language—- Am I displaying closed or open body language? Am I fidgeting or tapping my fingers. or the ever popular leg shaking?
• Voice—- Is my tone even and steady? Am I speaking at the right pace? Do I sound short or agitated?
• Clothes—- Is the way I am dressed communicating what I would like? Does my appearance reflect how I see myself?

A word I like here is “alignment.” When I express myself I want to do so in such a way that my words,and emotions from within me are conveyed, that means aligning what comes out of my mouth with all the richness that my body, face and voice can provide. Does your outward appearance communicate what you would like it to? If not, what adjustments would you make?