Excerpts from my new book - Introduction by Sue Courtney

Introduction

There has probably never been a time in history when help and advice was needed more in order to successfully be promoted, get a first job or succeed in business. Life is moving ever faster and it is more vital than ever to have that little bit of extra information that will nudge you ahead of the competition and improve your chances of success.

Over the last 10 years or so there has been a proliferation of coaches, all niching in different areas and all promising they have the answer to your problem - they can stop your pain and make life perfect.

Equally, there are a growing number of stylists on the scene, all promising to make you look wonderful so your life will instantly be perfect too.

Rubbish!

In your dreams.

I spent years watching programmes like “Ten Years Younger”, “How to Look Good Naked” and the programme pioneers – Trinny & Susannah with their offerings. Even Joan Collins had a go! True, the people featured did look wonderful (mostly) by the end of the programme but the transformation rarely lasted more than a few weeks – or months at most. When the programme revisited them they had always regressed back to something of their former ‘style’.

It must have been so very frustrating for the programme makers, the stylists and the people being styled. It happened time and again and still the format didn’t change.

I grew increasingly frustrated and eventually stopped watching the programmes altogether. The solution was obvious to me and I emailed some of the shows to give them the benefit of my thoughts – which were ignored. My approach probably wouldn’t make for such exciting viewing – and it is viewing figures that count, after all.

People do need help to see through the hype and the trends to what is actually going to make them look good. It all depends on your body shape and colouring – and also on your lifestyle and job, career or business. It is absolutely no use following trends if you want to be successful or if you want to look your best at all times. I sometimes think (no I think this most of the time) that designers and manufacturers are having a laugh at our expense when I see some of the styles they ‘sell’ us as the latest ‘must-haves’ each season. And we are stupid enough to buy them! Yes – I include myself in this. I have bought clothes – and worn them – knowing that they didn’t suit me. Do you know, even though I know the rules, I sometimes still buy something I know won’t work, just because I like it – and I always regret it. I’m not immune to mistakes.

This results in people dressing inappropriately for work and so, very often, being less successful than their better dressed colleagues – even if they can do the job better. In the current economic climate this is madness –nothing short of career suicide, in my opinion.

At the other end of the scale – and no less catastrophic – people are being hired because they look the part and talk the part but actually have no understanding of the job and so fail. Their attitude is wrong and their approach misguided. There has to be a better, more authentic way to approach the topic of Personal Rebranding.

In these days of economic turmoil, when jobs are disappearing in every sector and there is more competition than ever for every job, it makes sense to have as many cards as possible stacked in your favour. To know that the job or promotion that you are applying for is right for you at this moment in time, that you believe, without any doubt, that you can do the job and that you are right for the job and also know how to go about ensuring you stand out from the competition for all the right reasons.

I know that most people HAVE to work to pay bills and provide a roof over their heads. Some are fortunate enough to be able to work to provide those lovely little extras and luxuries that make life so much more fun. But wouldn’t it be great if you were so sought after that you could do both in a job you love and know that you could go anywhere and be welcomed with open arms because you are so well thought of?

It can be like that – even in a downturn. But only if you subscribe to the belief that success can be achieved by doing what Dan Bradbury advises (I believe it is a quote from Walt Disney)

“Observe the masses – and do the opposite.”

It is a principle adopted by all the most successful people throughout history – imagine where Steve Jobs would have been if he had done the same as everyone else!

So – to be the success you can undoubtedly be – do just that. Work out what you and everyone else are doing that isn’t really working and then change – do what successful people are doing and turn your life around.

Copyright C - 2014, Sue Courtney - Success & Image Ltd. All rights reserved.

 

 

Your Time as a Caterpillar has Expired - Your Wings are Ready For Collection

 

Your Time as a Caterpillar has Expired - Your Wings are Ready for Collection by Sue Courtney

I couldn't resist that title.
It is the beginning of a Brand New Year - 2014.
What will you do with it?
You have a 365 page book in front of you - and you are the author - you decide what goes in it!
What an awesome thought - THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!!

So, with that thought in mind, a little planning might be in order.
Begin by deciding what you want to achieve in all areas of your life by the end of 2014 - include work/career, finance, family/relationships, and what ever else is important to you.
Then work out a realistic schedule of journey goals that will enable you to end the year where you want and make a quarterly plan for each area of your life.
 

• What do you need or intend to achieve from January to March?
• April to June?
• July to September?
• October to December?

Now sub-divide into journey goals or achievements for each month.
My advice - don't plan too much into each month. Be realistic - life is busy - it was hectic and busy last year, why would the new year be any different?

So be realistic, but challenging. Make your journey goals few but impactful.

Then schedule them into your diary, get yourself an "accountability buddy" or coach and make 2014 your very best year yet.

Please let me know what some of your goals are and how you are doing. Tell me how you plan to achieve them - I love hearing your stories and maybe I might be able to offer encouragement and advice.

To your amazing success in 2014 - I know you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
I believe in you.

I'm currently doing exactly what I advise my clients to do right now - after taking a well deserved break I am remembering all that contributed to making 2013 a fabulous year and I am planning how to build on that to make 2014 the best year ever. I began the planning process while "enjoying" a rather grand adventure courtesy of the effects of the weather on the UK transport system. In other words, while stuck on a train going nowhere because of a flooded line, I used the time to plan for success in 2014. I then enjoyed the adventure that was the magical mystery tour  that eventually got me home. Great fun.



My first seminar of 2014 will be on Saturday 15th February 2014, in Southampton. (UK)
I will take you through my unique 3 step MAP system for career success which includes a styling section on dressing for your shape.
In 2013 I had a job specification written specially for me!
If you would like to be in that enviable position I can show you how on Saturday 15th February 2014 in Southampton (UK)
If you are serious about getting ahead in your career this year then you need this information as soon as possible.
More information in my next newsletter - remember to keep this date free to meet me in Southampton and kick start your career success.




It's an idea I saw on Facebook. Take 1 large jar and, beginning on January 1st, fill it with little notes about all the amazing things that happen to you - surprise gifts, goals achieved, memories worth saving, daily blessings, moments that make you laugh out loud, special events ....... whatever is special to you. On December 31st 2014 you empty it out and realise how blessed you were over the year. I have bought one for each of my family as well as myself and I can't wait to begin using it. (Actually, my son has cheated a bit. He got a new guitar on 31st December and has put that in the jar - a day early! No matter, I love his enthusiasm).
Try it - it will focus your mind on all that is good in your life, which will ensure you get more of the good stuff!
Let me know how it goes.



These days it is more important than ever to create the right first impression - positive, professional and authentic - if you want to achieve career success. So often women are overlooked for promotions and it is my mission to stop all that.

I work with ambitious, professional career women just like yourself, to achieve the success you want. You should be able to climb as high up the career ladder as you wish and enjoy the same opportunities as your male colleagues.

To achieve this I have developed my unique 3 step MAP system and I deliver it in a variety of ways - as a
  

• One day and two-day seminars where you access my complete MAP system and start your journey to career success.
• Special, intensive, luxury weekend where you access the whole of my MAP system in luxurious surroundings, so you can return to work next day and start implementing what you have learnt, with the added bonus of 60 days support from me to ensure you take action
• My personalised Promotion Programme where I work 1 to 1 with you to achieve your career goals and support you for the first 90 days in post.

The programme deals with developing a powerful mindset, taking actions that will give you the edge over your competition and then restyling to present the right image for success.
Best wishes

Sue Courtney
Personal Rebranding for Career Success

Golden Rules for Getting Ahead by Sue Courtney

I have been proactively working on a set of Golden Rules that, if you conscientiously apply them, will increase your chances of being offered that job of your dreams or that much sought-after promotion. They are the result of personal experience and research and I offer them to you in the hope that they enable you to achieve your desired results.

Basically, for career success, all you need to do is Stand Out From The Crowd.

It is that simple – but not necessarily easy. You need to be totally committed to achieving your career goal and willing to ‘go the extra mile’ in order to be noticed. That having been said, in my experience it doesn’t take a massive amount of extra effort to get noticed.

Read on and I will explain my five rules to enable you to  Stand Out From The Crowd for career success.

Rule#1 Look the part.

 I know I repeat this often – but only because it is vitally important. The first impression people make of you will be visual. If you dress the same as all the others doing your job you will just blend in to the background – and that is not a good thing. Your aim is to be noticed. Your aim is also to be associated in the minds of management as a promotion prospect as soon as they see you each day. My Wardrobe De-Tox sessions are perfect for this. Go to www.successandimagecoach.co.uk/wardrobe-de-tox/   

I remember when I was a supply teac her some years ago. I had been teaching for a few consecutive days and had arrived at work quite early. As I strode purposefully into school I passed a parent of a child from another class who asked me if I was the new head teacher. I explained that I was, in fact, a supply teacher based mainly in year one. She apologised for her  mistake but explained that she had assumed this because I looked so “invincible”! I always dressed smartly in suit or dress and jacket rather than the more casual attire of the permanent staff and so I looked as if I should have been in charge. I had to smile.

Rule #2 Arrive early and leave late.

Try to arrive earlier than the managers several times each week and be sure they realise you have beaten them in – there is no point in arriving early and putting in extra time if nobody notices. And don’t waste your time while you are there – be productive and proactive, getting little and big jobs done, getting organised for the day and looking useful.

Don’t clock watch. Finish off the job you are doing before you even consider leaving and then see if there is something else you could usefully do that would make the following day a little easier – for yourself or a colleague.

Rule #3  Look for ways to add value and help out.

Offer to take on a task to help a colleague out. Make suggestions that might make a task more efficient or quicker to complete.

Spread the love – help others whenever you can, whatever their role in the company. Could you do some small thing to make the cleaner’s job a little quicker, easier or more pleasant? Do you know what interests the top manager so you could pop an article on the subject on his/her desk occasionally?

 

Rule #4  Be cheerful and upbeat

That means no moaning and no gossiping. Look for the good in all people and situations – no matter what there will always be something.

Greet everyone with a smile and a cheery “hello” even if you aren’t feeling cheery. You will be surprised how something this small can change the mood of a section.

Being relentlessly cheerful and positive is a habit that can really make a difference – try it for yourself and see.

Rule #5  Volunteer

Put yourself forward for courses that will enable you to add more value to the company and do your job better – actually ask to be included on them, explaining that it would enable you to do a better job for the company. Constantly upgrade your skills so you can offer more to the company than you currently do – even if it has to be done in your own time and at your own expense, look on it as an investment. If you are serious about getting ahead it will be worth it as you will recoup the expense many times over when you are paid more. I offer seminars and courses based on my unique 3 step MAP system – go to www.successandimagecoach.co.uk for details or email me at sue@successandimagecoach.co.uk to ask about seminars and courses coming up in the next few months.

GET NOTICED as an exemplary employee. If your colleagues are unhappy about your behaviour – well done, you must be doing something right. It shows you are worrying them because you are making them aware of what they should be doing and aren’t. Redouble your efforts and keep striving for your goal. Remember that successful people do what others won’t.

 

The underlying truth of the matter is this – if you are willing to do more than you are currently paid to do, you will eventually be paid to do more than you currently do.

It really does work – I have proved it and so have many of my clients over the years. So get out there and do your thing with style. And please let me know how you get on.

Copyright ©2013, Sue Courtney – Success and Image Ltd. All rights reserved.

What is your Parallel Life? by Sue Courtney

I was reminded, a few days ago, about a strange phenomenon that kept happening when I lived in Midhurst. It is beginning to happen here as well and it made me think about possibilities.

I was frequently mistaken for someone else – several different ‘someone elses’ actually - by people who knew them really well but didn’t know me at all!

·         On one occasion a complete stranger rushed up to me in the middle of Midhurst High Street, hugged me then stepped back when she realised I wasn’t the person she thought I was (perhaps it had something to do with my reaction to being accosted by a complete stranger) – a real Specsavers moment!

·         On another occasion I walked into an estate agent for the first time to enquire about an apartment and the woman behind the desk looked as if she had seen a ghost. She actually went white and looked as if she was going to pass out. She thought I was a friend she had known for years – I had never met her before!

·         I once visited the railway station in Haslemere to buy tickets to London only to be told by the guy behind the screen that I didn’t need to as I has a season ticket and took the train to London every day – in fact I worked in a nearby village and used the train once a year at most!

·         A friend, who I saw most days, swore she had seen me the previous day, driving in my car. She was complaining about my rudeness as she had waved and hooted at me and been ignored. It wasn’t me, I had been in class teaching at the time in question.

·         A woman in the queue for toilets at Clapham Junction station thought I was someone she had met the week before in a place I have never visited.

I could go on.

It is strange but I have been wondering –

·         What careers do these other versions of ‘me’ have?

·         Would I like to ‘be’ any of them?

·         Do we, in fact, have multiple versions of our self all leading different lives because we have made different decisions?

·         What decisions have led me to be the version of me I am currently experiencing?

·         What new decisions could I make that would take me in a new and more rewarding direction?

 

So I ask you – if there was another version of you what would she be doing? How would her life be different to yours? What career would she be following? Would you rather be her?

What can you do about it?

Well, there is a great deal you can do.

For a start you can ask yourself the questions above and list all the differences between ‘her’ life and yours in two columns, positive and negative. Then you can begin to plan ways to bridge the gap between your current life and career and the life and career you would prefer.

What is going to happen if you don’t resolve this issue?

If you could be any version of ‘you’ which would you choose?

Then you can email me at sue@successandimagecoach.co.uk to tell me your thoughts and also to let me know how you would like me to help you move forward quickly.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Copyright © 2013, Sue Courtney – Success & Image Ltd. All rights reserved.