Feed Your Career

While I was reading my gratitude devotion (Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach) I came across a great entry on the unspoken language of authenticity and how you dress is an expression of who you are.  I deeply believe in this.  I have always enjoyed using my wardrobe to express myself.  It has never been about being a fashion standout.  Instead for me it has been a way to talk to the world without “saying” anything.

I can remember my excitement growing up when I would get several brown paper bags of hand me down clothes from another family at church with older kids.  It was like candy for me.  Tingling with excitement I would go through and find my new favorites.  I have over the years groped for words to describe to others what clothes mean to me.  I have never been big on brands.  I purchase clothes at Target through Nordstoms with some splurges thrown in.  Now my secret is out.

I have hesitated in talking with others on dress because I am afraid others will think I am materialistic or favor more how I look on the outside than my inner qualities.  That could not be more wrong.  Inner qualities rate far more important than material items for me.  How I dress is an expression of myself, and extension is even better way of describing it.  Also, in recent years how I dress has become even more important as I get busier and busier with life.  For me, taking time to give thought to how I dress and taking time to purchase a couple new things every season is showing appreciation for myself.  It is taking care of me.

It is not easy always, I have four kids and work from home.  The youngest is just 8 months old now.  I know every one of you out there also has a very hectic lifestyle.  No matter how busy I get, every day I take time to get up and shower, pick out an outfit that makes me feel good, and ‘put on my face’.  Often I have to ask my husband or one of my older kids to hold the baby while I finish getting ready.  I do have the routine down to a quick 20 minutes.  I believe I show value for myself by taking the time to do this every morning.  I never know how my day will go.  I do feel better whatever ends up happening  if I have taken time to appreciate and value myself by doing this every day.

Authentic Self

I am still working on the words to describe to others how dress can be an extension or communication to others of your inner self.  There is a great coach Steffi Jo Kern who helps woman learn and identify who they are at their very core. She calls it ‘your Essence’ and helps woman learn all the colors and design elements that ‘your Essence’ aligns with and applies this information to the clothes they choose to wear. She helps woman open to their authenticity and their true personality on the inside and express this on the outside with their language and actions.  She has even created a twelve-step Closet Challenge to help define ‘your Essence’.

Steffi poses the question – imagine what could happen if a person was always dressing in alignment with their authentic self?  For example, going on a job interview, attending a board meeting, asking for a raise, going on a first date. When a person is congruent with themselves they create a positive energy that attracts.  Now those are the words I have needed for so long to talk to others.

Personal Brand

Authentically dressing is a key part of a personal brand.  Dress is your visual impression.  If you can capture your authentic self through what you wear every day that will give you much more power and reach in your personal brand.  Beth Hewitt has a great blog posting on personal branding and how you dress is important.  We all know about first impressions  – first seven seconds…  It is key that as part of anyone’s endeavor to follow their passions, live out their life purpose, that they dress purposely to express their authentic self.   Without thought to dress, the first impression can create mixed and even off messages as to your intention and seriousness. ‘Dress for Success’ means something completely different today than ten years ago.  Dressing today provides a platform to get your ‘authentic self’ noticed.

There is a quote included in my gratitude devotion that speaks to me:

To choose clothes, either in a store or at home, is to define and describe ourselves.

by Alison Lurie.

I am going to go into my closet today and find at least 4 things that do not express my authentic self and give them away.   I vow to wear clothes that I love and express my authentic self.