Are you comfortable in your skin

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Love who you are!

For the most part I have been comfortable in my skin and confident in my abilities but it hasn't always been this way. And, my confidence continues to grow as I continue to appreciate who I have become. I really do believe I am a survivor; I'm a successful person who can handle just about anything that comes my way although maybe not in the most appropriate way at times. It doesn't mean I don't react or struggle before I find and navigate my path forward, it just means I recognize the challenge and figure out a solution before it gets the best of me! Really, if we can't count on ourselves, who can we really count on?

Below is the article I wrote in November of 2009, before the Examiner closed its doors and took the content down.

Are you comfortable in your own skin

Regardless of the class you fit into, your age, gender, color, shape or size, the way you carry yourself as you maneuver through your life impacts your success.  Are you comfortable in your own skin?  Your thoughts about you, even if you are not verbalizing them, affect your body; how one feels and acts.  Do you have a presence that commands positive attention or does your demeanor influence people negatively?  Every person you know is flawed, the difference is most people do not become disempowered by their imperfections instead, they figure out how to accept them so they are perceived favorably by the world, which is empowering! 

Learn to love your flawed self and offer this authentic being to the rest of the world!  You’ll find, after a little practice, it is easier than you would think and you’ll realize how draining self doubt and negativity is, once you are able to free it.  

Start by countering any damaging thought with an encouraging one. Any time you speak negatively about yourself, add the word "but" to it and reframe it positively with a countering statement. Maybe you are overweight but you are healthier than you used to be. Your health can be the foundation to facilitate a new commitment to walk daily enabling you to slim down. Harshness isn't going to motivate long-term change but self compassion will encourage this.

Look into the mirror and force yourself to find a compliment. This might feel conceited and seem really hard at first but it is a worthwhile venture!   Work on your posture; someone slumped over might suggest laziness even if you are a very active person. Finally, smile. You’ll be surprised how contagious it is; people will reciprocate your cheerful gesture. 

Regardless if you are teaching a class, meeting for a first date or interviewing for a new job, it is critical to remember, you are your best investment.  Let your comfort emanate through your pores and present a confident, cool self to enable success by attracting positivity into your life!