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.

 

 

Let Values Be Your Guide by Sue Courtney

 “What a caterpillar sees as the end of the world, the master sees as a butterfly” Richard Bach

 

The future isn’t something that just happens, by default. You create it by the thoughts you allow and by the actions you take or neglect to take. Your future is in your hands – make of it what you will. If you are seeking career success then you need to read this.

 

Life is always presenting us with new opportunities. Sometimes we simply don’t notice them because they  come dressed up in work clothes and don’t appear very inviting. Big mistake.  Firstly, remember that the mind – like a parachute – works best when open. Try to remain open to new possibilities and opportunities that come your way. So let go of any preconceived ideas, get out of your own way and allow the process to work.

 

If you aren’t experiencing the career success you would like and you feel your life needs some fine tuning, the place to start is with your core values. Now it is time to establish exactly what your core values are. Consider first the values that seem to be present, on the surface at least, in today’s society : negativity, closed-mindedness, depression, fear, anxiety, worry, cruelty, hatred, meanness, separation, dishonesty and hopelessness. They are not a very uplifting set of values and reflect a fearful and in some ways damaged mindset. There is another way, which is more uplifting and brings happiness and joy.

 

Your core values are your true essence – the authentic, inner you. If you are true to your core values then your life will feel more whole and complete and you will be happy.  At our core we are positive and loving – negative values are conditioned into us by negative news and events. We have a choice as to whether we allow life to affect us in this way or whether we will stay true to our core values and remain positive and loving. Everyone has a different set of values that they feel are vital to their wellbeing but they all have a common thread – they make your life more meaningful and fulfilling. In order to chart a meaningful path through life’s uncertainties it is vital to be clear about exactly what your values are.

 

Select ten of the most important values from the list below. If you wish to add more, feel free. You are excavating the very essence of your being so be sure to list everything that is significant in your life.

 

Love                               Security                              Health                              Happiness

Financial wealth           Adventure                           Travel                               Honesty

Power                            Passion                               Integrity                           Success

Freedom                       Understanding                    Compassion                   Trust

Loyalty                          Creativity                             Respect                           Achievement

Acceptance                  Humour                               Kindness                         Independence

Excitement                   Intimacy                              Career/work                    Ambition

Contribution                 Sincerity                              Challenge                        Variety

Conservation               Fun                                       Family

 

Now that you have a list of the most important values in your life, you need to number them in priority order and maybe group some together, if that feels right for you. You now have a personal list that you can use to inform your goal setting and provide a set of principles to inform your decision making. If you think compiling the list of your core values and prioritising them was tough – living your life to their standards is the big test. Remember, this is your personal list – if you find it isn’t quite right, you can always change it. It has to be absolutely right for you and reflect the truth of who you really are.

 

Armed with a list of your core values it is often easier to make decisions that affect how you live your life and how you plan for your future. As you begin to apply your values to all aspects of your life you may find some conflict. It may be that you work in a factory that produces disposable cups and Conservation is an important value to you. There is conflict as you need to earn a living but are working against one of your principles. Consider ways to bring harmony such as seeking employment in a company that manufactures something more in keeping with your values or maybe talk to the management about offsetting the impact the cups have by planting trees or making them from a more environmentally friendly material. You see how knowing your values can begin to explain why some areas of your life are causing internal conflict and can give you the knowledge needed to make changes that will bring your values and life into harmony.

 

If you are seeking a promotion that you know will take you away from home more or require you to work longer hours, and one of your core values is Family, then you may be self sabotaging in order to stay true to your values. A good coach (ME?) can help you to work through any such conflicts to enable a harmonious resolution.

 

One of my core values turned out to be security. Knowing this enabled me to understand why aspects of my life were causing me stress and develop a plan to overcome the issue and restore the security I need in my life.

 

Equipped with this knowledge you can now look at all aspects of your life and find answers to your questions about how to bring more happiness and harmony into each aspect. Simply relate your values to each aspect of your life and give them a rating. On a scale of 1 to 10, how well is each value represented in your relationships, finances, career and other important aspects of your life. Be absolutely honest with yourself even if the truth is a little uncomfortable or inconvenient.

 

If, knowing your values, you are still finding it difficult to embrace change because of fear, I have a little game that may help. If you are afraid of an outcome or set of events, ask yourself

“What is the worst that could possibly happen under the circumstances?” List all your ideas. Just getting them out into the open can help you to see how very unlikely they are to happen. Then ask yourself

“What would you do if the worst happened?” You would cope and having thought of some strategies can take away some of the fear. List all your possible solutions next to each challenge. Do the solutions fit with your core values? What reaction to the circumstances would fit with your values? What actions would you take if you were to be true to your values?

 

Now ask yourself

“What is the very best that could possibly happen as a result of taking this action?” Again, list every possibility you can think of, however unlikely or convoluted it may seem. Suspend disbelief. Then ask

“How could you make that wonderful circumstance happen?” List all the possible actions that you could take, in line with your values, that could lead to the best possible scenario and pick one to try first.

 

With your values to guide you, anything is possible. It is time to let the real, authentic you out. When challenges arise it is Life nudging you to find a better way and let go of what isn’t working, however comfortable its familiarity may be. Release the old to make room for the new.

 

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

Get Ahead - Get a Makeover by Sue Courtney

Strange but true – getting a style makeover could be the turning point in your quest for promotion.

Not convinced? Read on.

A good stylist can view you objectively and enable you to develop a style that flatters your shape and colouring and works for your lifestyle or promotion goals. You need a style that works with your personality and highlights your best assets so you look and feel more ‘you’ than you did before.

The process may take you out of your comfort zone – indeed it should take you out of your comfort zone – and into the zone of the real, best version of you, confident, energised and authentic.

An unexpected consequence of this styling process can be a willingness to look at other areas of your life. Because you look different you will feel different – more confident and attractive. People will begin to react differently to you and so you will begin to react differently to you as well.

Aspects of life that were once acceptable may suddenly be up for review. It is as if having made a significant change in one area of your life you feel compelled to make other positive, life enhancing changes in other areas that you feel are in need of a makeover too. It opens you up to the possibility of new directions in other areas of your life.

A style makeover repays the investment in numerous ways – from increased confidence and respect from others to a potential huge savings as you no longer waste money on purchases that don’t make you look and feel fabulous. You know what I mean, we all have them – the clothes and accessories that lurk reproachfully at the back of the wardrobe draining your energy every time you see them.

So, if you are serious about promotion go to http://www.successandimagecoach.co.uk/wardrobe-de-tox/

And book your first step to career success now.

 

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

 

Get Your Act Together

So your goal for this year is to be promoted?

Why? What are the benefits to you?

What are you doing about it?

Are you perceived as promotion material by those with the power to grant your wish? And, more importantly, do they know that you would like a promotion? Have you made this point clear?

Let us begin at the beginning and take a logical approach to the achievement of your goal.

1.     Do you know exactly which promotion you want and exactly what it will mean to your life? What changes can you expect to experience – from the extra hours you may be expected to work, extra travelling to the new responsibilities. Are you certain that you have the necessary skills for the role – and the necessary self belief?

Do your research. Find out exactly what the promotion will require of you and begin to adopt those behaviours NOW, in advance of even mentioning your wish for a promotion or applying for the role.

Acquire the new skills you will need and be sure that you are noticed as you change your behaviours to that of the successful employee who is an asset to the company

2.     What do you expect to gain from the promotion? Are you also clear on what you would be expected to give? Does it seem to be a fair trade-off to you? Are you ready to give all that will be expected and more to be the model employee?

Check in with your values to be sure that the extra money or your own office are adequate compensation for the extra time and effort that will doubtless be required of you. Talk to someone who already holds the role – maybe in a different company – to find out the reality of the role. If possible, take a day to shadow them – that ‘try-before-you-buy’ strategy that is so important.

3.     Change your behaviours to match those of the person you wish to be. Change the way you present yourself – the way you dress, the time you arrive for work and the time you leave, the people you associate with at work – ditch the moaning brigade.

If you aren’t comfortable associating with more senior people or more focused colleagues then you probably aren’t ready for the new role. They say that you are as successful as the people whose company you keep. Negative people and moaners won’t help you get to the top. If you have to change your friends to achieve success – are you prepared to do it?

4.     Be prepared to use your own time and money to gain qualifications, attend courses and network. If you really want the success you will find a way to achieve it – but you have to be determined and single minded.

What new skills do you need to acquire and where can you go to acquire them? Again, do your research. There are many online courses and webinars as well as evening classes and weekend retreats and conferences. Do what most of the others won’t do and commit to ongoing learning and constant improvement.

5.     Once you are behaving as the person who has the job you want and looking the part you can begin to make your promotion intentions clear to the ‘powers that be’.

Be seen demonstrating your new behaviours and new dress code. Go out of your way to add value to the company and ensure you are noticed for this by those who have the power to recommend you. Ignore those who have a vested interest in keeping you down. This could be your biggest challenge.

Then actually tell people that you have gained new qualifications and that you are ambitious and want to be promoted. They aren’t mind-readers. Become the person who is looked to for excellence and develop a unique niche within the job – something that you are known for and for which your expertise is sought.

Stand out from the crowd for career success – by rebranding yourself as the success you want to be.

What do you need to do now? Only you can answer that question. But my purpose, with my unique MAP system, is to give you that competitive edge that will set you above your competition in the mind of your employer. So check out my website at www.successandimagecoach.co.uk or email me at sue@successandimagecoach.co.uk to let me know what you need from me.

Silver and Gold Support Programme members receive ongoing support from me to assist them in their goal of getting to the top – they do what most don’t – they invest in their future success. Email me at sue@successandimagecoach.co.uk for details of the programmes.

Copyright © 2013, Sue Courtney – Success & Image Ltd. All Rights Reserved.