Presentation is Everything

 

                                                                                                             

So, I am no Martha Stewart, but I enjoy setting a pretty table and fashioning beautiful spaces to create a warm and relaxing environment. I especially love decorating with natural beauty. I have found that guests can be wowed by a pretty table and creatively plated food, even if what’s served is ordinary. Maybe that’s why I love charcuterie boards so much: the food is pretty run-of-the-mill, but the presentation is everything.

Presentation is everything in the way we conduct ourselves in our lives, as well. In our everyday experiences, we need to present ourselves in a way we want to be perceived. Sometimes our self-awareness is limited and we come across in a way that is very different than what people perceive us to be.

Someone who is shy can be perceived as being disinterested. A confident person who walks with a strong gait can be perceived as arrogant or cold. When someone is really focused and is concentrating hard on a task, they can come across as being angry. Self-awareness is so key to knowing how to present yourself in a manner that is warm, friendly, and engaging.

In my opinion, it’s not so much how you dress but it’s how you carry yourself. Practice making eye contact with people, to demonstrate that you see them, accompanied by an engaging smile. People will remember how you make them feel, not so much what was said or what you were wearing.

If you want to be seen as a leader, present yourself in a way that people will want to follow you. If you want to be seen as a teacher, create an environment where people want to learn. If you want to be perceived as being happy-go-lucky, then make space in your life for spontaneity. If you want people to see you as responsible, make sure you are carrying through with commitments, showing up on time, and answering your emails. Please, please, answer your emails. Oops, did I just write that? I may need to work on my own presentation skills! LOL! 

Let's make self-awareness and presentation an important part of our growth in attaining our goals and successes in life.