Chic Galleria » Beth Newman

Is Your Image Working For You?

Beth Newman — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:19:11 +0000

Have you ever wondered why our society has become so lax? Why is it perfectly acceptable these days to run around in tracksuits, peppering our language with slang and offensive terminology, basking in our lack of elegance and refinement while offering our middle finger to anyone who doesn’t like our loud-and-proud attitude? Like or leave it, someone once told me.

I don’t like it, and I just can’t leave it.

For you see, my friend, we’ve got a full-force ripple effect happening. Our croc-wearing, tattoo-bearing, attempts-at-daring affect others. Kids today are unfamiliar with the term ‘dressing for the occasion’ because they’ve never witnessed it. Recent college grads who grew up with a grand sense of entitlement don’t understand why their multi-piercings are keeping them from landing a job. Women of ‘a certain age’ don’t understand why their bawdiness has yet to attract the perfect partner. “I mean, it worked for the gals in Sex In The City, why isn’t it working for me?” they ask.

Like it or not, we are judged by how we communicate, and we communicate through many different avenues each day: the words we speak, the clothes we wear, our manners, our mannerisms – I could go on. It’s the Total Package Effect and I speak to so many women about it: you can look great, but if you don’t speak greatly or act greatly, others will not perceive you as great.

So my question today is this: what, exactly, are you trying to communicate? If you desire attracting certain people or situations into your life and you’ve yet to manifest them, you’re image could be holding you back.

I’ve seen it happen hundreds of times.

One’s image plays a significant role in her overall success, both professionally and personally.

I think a key element that leads to an ‘image downfall’ is the acceptance of the status quo. No one else dresses up for church, so why should I? Everybody enjoys fast-food on a regular basis, so why shouldn’t I? Everyone else watches garbage on Television, so why shouldn’t I (side note: garbage in, garbage out. I learned that a long time ago, and it’s very true. Think about it.)

Because it leads to stasis, and a lifestyle in stasis is a lifestyle in crises.

We should all strive each day not only to look our best, but to speak our best and BE our best. We’ve got to get over this weird ‘let’s just be comfortable and let it all hang out’ mentality and take ownership of our lives and our image. We must recognize that our choices affect others – and not necessarily in a good way.

We’ve got to get over our laziness and stop accepting things that simply shouldn’t be acceptable. If not, I shudder to think of the fruit the upcoming generation will bear. They’re looking to us and following our lead, so if we want better for them, we must be better ourselves.

Be the change you want to see in the world – Gandhi

What is it you’d like to see?

Beth Newman is an image consultant, mentor, and author based out of Houston, TX. For more information, please visit her website at www.newmanimage.info. Online and phone consultations available!

Photo credit © Redbaron | Dreamstime.com

A Lasting Legacy

Beth Newman — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:14:38 +0000

Sadly, I bid a final good-by to an associate of mine the other day. I’d only known her a short while, but I liked her very much. I worried about her. I learned a great deal from her. In the end, however, I was astounded by her.

You see, my associate kept her business just that – her business, so you can imagine my surprise when I discovered certain things about her during her memorial service. Things like her philanthropy (award-winning philanthropy, I might add). Things like her adventuresome, beach-loving nature (I had no idea we had the sand and sea in common), her vigilant commitment to style and fashion (she never told me she met Tim Gunn, but lo and behold, there she was, photographed with him following some sort of fashion event).

Discovering these aspects about her made me realize how exceptional she really was. Showered with wondrous opportunities and accolades, she handled all of it gracefully, with dignity, and quietly.

We don’t see too much grace, dignity, and silence these days, do we?

In this age of social media, everybody’s a celebrity. Constant status-updaters and tweeters, revealing the minutia of their daily lives, have carried the ‘Look At Me’ mentality into their personal encounters. We’ve a lot of people talking (about nothing, really), and too few listening.

Had my associate talked a little more, we probably would have become great friends, for we shared many of the same interests and possessed similar demeanors. Had she only spoken up, those of us who knew her would have understood just how ill she was in her final months. She never complained, though, and we all hoped and prayed that she’d get better. She didn’t.

I suppose that’s why I can’t suffer foolishness right now. I prefer my communication with others to be short, sweet, informative, helpful, enlightening and entertaining. I go absolutely mad hearing complaints about mild tummy aches, sinus pressure, and paper cuts. My associate spent the last few weeks of her life incredibly frail and, at age 51, needing the assistance of a walker just to get to the powder room. You’ll get by with that wart on your thumb, trust me.

I don’t mean to come across as uncaring in the previous paragraph, but my associate’s death really made me realize how foolish we all can be. We take things for granted, and get too wrapped up in ourselves to do what we’re really here to do: to love one another, and to leave this world better than we found it.

Following her memorial service, I vowed to do more to make my community a better place. I’ve recommitted myself to keeping apprised on the latest in fashion, education, and writing because that’s how I make my living and resting on my laurels certainly won’t get me any further than I currently am, professionally speaking. I’ve also promised myself to have more fun, remove myself from social-media marathons, and to really go out make the most of each day. I shall love more, listen more, and laugh more.

And I shall never forget this dear woman, her legacy, and the impact her life story had on me. Thank you, dear heart, and may you rest in peace.

Beth Newman is an image consultant, mentor, and author based out of Houston. For more information about her, please visit www.newmanimage.info

Photo credit © Absolut_photos | Dreamstime.com

Tapping and Tuning

Beth Newman — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:17:54 +0000

I know firsthand what occurs when one defines himself or herself with a title:

“I am a teacher.”

“I am a writer.”

“I am a salesman.”

“I am a doctor.”

“I am a professional monkey-trainer.”

(Side note: I can only claim the first two, but am quite interested in conquering the last one.)

Anyway, we get too caught up in titles because oftentimes we define ourselves by those titles. We forget that there’s so much more to us than by how we make a living.

That’s why I encourage you to tap into and tune into Other Areas of Interest, which may include but are not limited to: volunteer work, pursuing a hobby, learning a new language or skill, traveling, and such. ‘Tapping and Tuning’ allows us to grow as humans. It allows us to discover new things about ourselves and the world around us. I think, too, that it makes us happier, more creative individuals.

Stretching ourselves is vital to our well-being. We must never accept complacency or mediocrity. We must remain vigilant in our desire to expand our horizons.

Our day-in-day-out routine can make us weary. We could end up in a rut. We may simply begin accepting things because ‘that’s how they’ve always been’. Yet they don’t have to be. Yes, we have responsibilities and obligations, but that doesn’t mean we must limit ourselves.

When you were a child, I’m sure you had some big dreams. Revisit those dreams, and see if you can find a way to tap into them in some way. Perhaps you wanted to be a singer, so why not join a community chorale group or your church choir? Maybe photography was your thing. Grab a camera and get to it!

As a kid, I grew up watching – and loving- the CBS soap opera, Guiding Light. I recently starting writing fan fiction based on the show. Yes, I know it’s incredibly silly. I realize very few people will take the time to read it, but it’s something I enjoy doing. It’s something that’s completely different for me. I find it a fantastic little diversion that keeps me from getting bored.

I encourage you to spend a little time today ‘Tapping and Tuning’. Step into an unfamiliar area and see what happens. If one thing doesn’t get you going, then choose another. Revisit those ideas that excited you as a child. We were never meant to live merely by titles. We were meant to enjoy ever-evolving and fun lives!

Now, if I could figure out how to incorporate monkey-training and writing soap opera fan fiction, I’d have it made in the shade with pink lemonade.

Beth Newman is an image consultant, mentor, and author based out of Houston, TX. For more information about her, she invites you to visit her website at www.newmanimage.info.

Photo credit © Suprijono Suharjoto | Dreamstime.com

Target Practice

Beth Newman — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:53:10 +0000

Now that we’re a couple of weeks into 2012, I must ask you: how are you coming along on those New Year’s Resolutions? Frankly, I don’t care for the word ‘resolution’, for it’s too broad and doesn’t pack the same sort of punch as words such as ‘goals’ or ‘intentions’. Nonetheless, if you made plans for improvement this year, I wanted to share with you some ‘Target Practice’ tips to insure that you’re ready, that you aim, and that you fire according to plan:

Target Tip 1: Know What You Want. It sounds simplistic, but so many of us meander through life uncertain of what it is we actually want. We probably know what our parents wanted for us. We probably have a good idea what our spouse wants from us. I’m sure our kids have let us know repeatedly what they want from us. But what do you want, personally and professionally? No desire is too big or small. You simply need to figure out what it is. What gets you excited? What inspires you? Answer these questions and you’ve already won most of the battle.

Target Tip 2: Daydream. Yes, that’s right. Imagine doing what you love to do. Feel those feelings of joy and gratitude as you’re doing those things. Visualization is a magnificently powerful tool, so spend a little time each day thinking about your success. Self-help and success gurus always preach the message of positive visualization. Why? Because it works, so hop to it!

Target Tip 3: Walk Like a Baby. Take tiny steps each day as you work toward your goal. If you’re intention is to live a healthier lifestyle, replace the afternoon candy bar with yogurt. Substitute carrot sticks for French Fries. Take a thirty-minute walk instead of veggie out in front of the television. Small steps will eventually carry you toward great strides, and will also keep you from feeling overwhelmed.

Target Tip 4: Become Accountable. When we enlist the help of a friend or mentor, we’re more likely to hit our mark. Most of us have a tendency to give up, or to go easy on ourselves. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right and an accountability partner will assist you in doing just that. Touch base with your accountability partner at least once a week.

Target Tip 5: Act it Out. Start acting as if everything you want has come to pass. Walk, talk, think, speak, and dress like the person you want to become. You’ll find that when you do so, your intentions come to pass a little more quickly and a little more easily. I know a young man who was recently promoted at work. While his colleagues dressed in khakis, he wore a suit – because his boss wore one. He knew that in order to be promoted, he needed to look the part. He also refrained from water-cooler gossip – because his boss did. Follow the lead of the leaders and you’ll become one yourself.

That old cliché of practice making perfect holds true, particularly when it comes to creating wonderful things for ourselves. Practice tackling those goals daily, and enjoy all the fabulosity that 2012 has to offer.

Beth Newman is an image consultant, mentor, and author based out of Houston. Her book, ‘365 Days of Fabulosity’ is available through Amazon. For more information, feel free to visit her website at www.newmanimage.info. Online consultations available!

A Big ‘But’

Beth Newman — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:31:22 +0000

What do you want out of life? Have you any idea? I’m surprised by the staggering number of people who’ve reached ‘a certain age’ and are still clueless about how to create their own little slice of fabulosity.

I say ‘create’, because we do have the power to accomplish anything. It takes clear intentions and a lot of work, sure, but if you’re willing to tackle the tasks and step out of your comfort zone, you might surprise yourself at just how much you can accomplish.

I find the biggest obstacle with most people is that they simply have A Big But:

But I Don’t Have the Funds – perhaps you want to escape the nine-to-five rat race and set your own course. I can certainly relate to the fear of the financial unknown, because I’ve been there. It’s not easy. You’ll most likely have to cut back on certain luxuries. It’s all about priorities at this point – satisfaction with your career or the ability to afford a brand new car every year. Only you can make the decision. If you opt for the latter, you really don’t have the right to complain about not having the former. Decide what’s really important to you, and make a move to make it happen.

But I Don’t Have the Time – the clock’s tick-tock factors into so much of what we do – or don’t do. Eating healthy and getting a bit of exercise. Spending time with the kids. Making time for your spouse. Soaking in a nice, hot bath at the end of the day. My advice is to eliminate the common time wasters, such as surfing the Internet and watching TV, and replace those mindless activities with things that matter.

But I Just Want to Be Loved – we all do, but far too many of us, particularly women, go above and beyond when it comes to people-pleasing. The whole world doesn’t have to love you (which should be a relief, because it won’t), so there’s really no reason to run in circles trying to make it happen. Love and respect yourself first. Those who really matter in your life will love and respect you for it.

But I Don’t Know Where to Start – start right now, right where you are. Make a list of things you want to accomplish in your life. Jot down a few time-specific goals to help you get going. Ignore the doom-and-gloom media and negative words you may hear from those pretending to have your best interest at heart. You’re the one living your life, not them.

I encourage you to boldly take control of your life. Set clear intentions. Dream. Have faith. A Big But will only weigh you down.

Beth Newman is an image consultant, life coach, and author based out of Houston. Her latest book ‘365 Days of Fabulosity’ is available through Amazon. For more information, please visit her website at www.newmanimage.info