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What is Style?
Style is having a sense of who you are and letting that uniqueness shine through in how you present and express yourself. To define style is to cultivate it; to be creative and unique. Style is knowing who you are from the inside out – it is the outward manifestation of your imagination, emotions, experience, integrity, and beliefs. It can be a starting point for deeper and more meaningful conversations.
You know style when you see it, the response is immediate. It may evoke emotions or comments from others. A sense of personal style begins with the look you create; make no mistake, your style makes an impression. Your look defines how you feel about yourself, your place in the world, and your outlook on life. Good style declares that your work, yourself, the people in your life, both personally and professionally, are all important. Wearing clothes that fit well makes a statement – and the statement is this – I am comfortable and confident with who I am in this moment – it means that I am open to change, right here and right now. I accept myself, my beauty and my flaws.
The only real question is, “Why shouldn’t I look good?” Remember, a great outfit can get you through anything, and let’s face the facts, some days it is the only thing you have to hold onto. Even in times of great difficulty you can draw strength from presenting yourself to the world in a positive fashion.
What is Substance?
Substance is having spiritual grounding and the knowledge and compassion that we are connected to all human beings. Through this, we have an obligation to be compassionate, inspiring and empowering. It means that we have a conscience and try to make things right when we have said or done the wrong thing. It means that we take the time to listen and to observe and to truly care, to make others feel like they matter. It is saying “please” and “thank you” and “forgive me” and “excuse me” and really meaning it.
A person of substance does not fear authenticity; a person of substance is one who knows who she or he is from the inside out and builds a life from that knowledge.
It means that we pay attention to ourselves, our feelings and intuition, and trust ourselves. It means taking good care of ourselves and being the best we can be. It means laughing at ourselves.
A life of great substance is one in which we strive to have what we feel inside meet what we present outside; it means that our demeanor and conduct are the same with everyone with whom we interact; that we stay constant and true. It means living life with vibrancy and gratitude and realizing that everyone has hardship and delights. Substance is having a deep connection and appreciation for the hidden stories that drive and motivate all people. It means learning from mistakes and having the honesty and courage to examine, change, to fail, and to continue to strive for a more meaningful and authentic state.
What these qualities are together make a statement that we should all strive for, a life of style and substance.
Creating a Personal Mission Statement
Before we even get started, you may be wondering, “What is a personal mission statement?”
Time Thoughts describes it most succinctly, “A personal mission statement is a description of what you want to focus on, what you want to accomplish and who you want to become in a particular area of your life. It is a way to focus your energy, actions, behaviors and decisions toward the things that are most important to you.” Your personal mission statement can be seen as an act of creation. Focusing on your current self cultivates clarity of purpose. The creation of a personal mission statement allows room for your best and truest self to grow; your sacred self. A point to remember; whatever you pay attention to thrives.
Although it is not our practice to dwell in the past, a brief visit will help you gather and discard characteristics, desires, successes and failures to build your bridge into the future. This historical journey is most satisfying and meaningful when led by an open and frank assessment of experiences. We need to know who we are in order to dream up who we can become. This is a positive and productive exploration in which you can remember or rejuvenate your passions and discover your purpose. (the style & substance 4 P’s)
Step I: Divide a clean sheet of paper into 4 quarters and label each: Physical/Body, Emotional, Spiritual, Intellectual/Mind.
Ask yourself these simple yet evocative questions and put the one word or small phrase answers in the most likely quadrant…some words may be negative and some positive, an honest place to start.
Empowered-Intuitive-Clarity-Openess-Raw-In-Touch-Creative_Compassionate-Confident-Strong-Articulate-Connected-Angry-Challenged-Frustrated-Stimulated-Self-Acceptance-Tolerance-Approachable-Enlightened-Contentment-Growth-Better-Excellewnce-Hardship-Thoughtfulness-Love-Real-Authentic-Comfortable-Difficult-Stimulating-Power-Joy-Sorrow-Gratitude-Helpful-Caring-Disconnected-Free-Attached-Truth-Excellence-Dignity-Respect-Routine-Reflect
Step 3: Put positive words next to the negatives…focusing on what you wish to become.
Step 4: Take these new words to a clean sheet and using the question… What would I like to define me?... work with them towards your first effort at a personal mission statement.
Personal Mission Statements can be simple or elaborate;
As simple as “Never give up!” or more descriptive, as the NED Show states,
“Never give up, Encourage others, and Do your best.”
Michele’s personal mission statement is: “Only the best is good enough.”
Honoring the best in myself and others will guide my intentions, my choices, my relationships…..my actions will reflect this truth. Sally’s personal mission statement is: “Live with joy and gratitude. Encourage and Inspire.” If what I am doing is not in line with how I have decided to live, and that most definitely happens daily, I gently remind myself of the commitment that I have made.
Style is having a sense of who you are and letting that uniqueness shine through in how you present and express yourself. To define style is to cultivate it; to be creative and unique. Style is knowing who you are from the inside out – it is the outward manifestation of your imagination, emotions, experience, integrity, and beliefs. It can be a starting point for deeper and more meaningful conversations.
You know style when you see it, the response is immediate. It may evoke emotions or comments from others. A sense of personal style begins with the look you create; make no mistake, your style makes an impression. Your look defines how you feel about yourself, your place in the world, and your outlook on life. Good style declares that your work, yourself, the people in your life, both personally and professionally, are all important. Wearing clothes that fit well makes a statement – and the statement is this – I am comfortable and confident with who I am in this moment – it means that I am open to change, right here and right now. I accept myself, my beauty and my flaws.
The only real question is, “Why shouldn’t I look good?” Remember, a great outfit can get you through anything, and let’s face the facts, some days it is the only thing you have to hold onto. Even in times of great difficulty you can draw strength from presenting yourself to the world in a positive fashion.
What is Substance?
Substance is having spiritual grounding and the knowledge and compassion that we are connected to all human beings. Through this, we have an obligation to be compassionate, inspiring and empowering. It means that we have a conscience and try to make things right when we have said or done the wrong thing. It means that we take the time to listen and to observe and to truly care, to make others feel like they matter. It is saying “please” and “thank you” and “forgive me” and “excuse me” and really meaning it.
A person of substance does not fear authenticity; a person of substance is one who knows who she or he is from the inside out and builds a life from that knowledge.
It means that we pay attention to ourselves, our feelings and intuition, and trust ourselves. It means taking good care of ourselves and being the best we can be. It means laughing at ourselves.
A life of great substance is one in which we strive to have what we feel inside meet what we present outside; it means that our demeanor and conduct are the same with everyone with whom we interact; that we stay constant and true. It means living life with vibrancy and gratitude and realizing that everyone has hardship and delights. Substance is having a deep connection and appreciation for the hidden stories that drive and motivate all people. It means learning from mistakes and having the honesty and courage to examine, change, to fail, and to continue to strive for a more meaningful and authentic state.
What these qualities are together make a statement that we should all strive for, a life of style and substance.
Creating a Personal Mission Statement
Before we even get started, you may be wondering, “What is a personal mission statement?”
Time Thoughts describes it most succinctly, “A personal mission statement is a description of what you want to focus on, what you want to accomplish and who you want to become in a particular area of your life. It is a way to focus your energy, actions, behaviors and decisions toward the things that are most important to you.” Your personal mission statement can be seen as an act of creation. Focusing on your current self cultivates clarity of purpose. The creation of a personal mission statement allows room for your best and truest self to grow; your sacred self. A point to remember; whatever you pay attention to thrives.
Although it is not our practice to dwell in the past, a brief visit will help you gather and discard characteristics, desires, successes and failures to build your bridge into the future. This historical journey is most satisfying and meaningful when led by an open and frank assessment of experiences. We need to know who we are in order to dream up who we can become. This is a positive and productive exploration in which you can remember or rejuvenate your passions and discover your purpose. (the style & substance 4 P’s)
Step I: Divide a clean sheet of paper into 4 quarters and label each: Physical/Body, Emotional, Spiritual, Intellectual/Mind.
Ask yourself these simple yet evocative questions and put the one word or small phrase answers in the most likely quadrant…some words may be negative and some positive, an honest place to start.
- What qualities have defined me in the past?
- What is my perception of myself at work, at home, at leisure? What qualities do others perceive?
- What do I long for or what do I want to become?
Empowered-Intuitive-Clarity-Openess-Raw-In-Touch-Creative_Compassionate-Confident-Strong-Articulate-Connected-Angry-Challenged-Frustrated-Stimulated-Self-Acceptance-Tolerance-Approachable-Enlightened-Contentment-Growth-Better-Excellewnce-Hardship-Thoughtfulness-Love-Real-Authentic-Comfortable-Difficult-Stimulating-Power-Joy-Sorrow-Gratitude-Helpful-Caring-Disconnected-Free-Attached-Truth-Excellence-Dignity-Respect-Routine-Reflect
Step 3: Put positive words next to the negatives…focusing on what you wish to become.
Step 4: Take these new words to a clean sheet and using the question… What would I like to define me?... work with them towards your first effort at a personal mission statement.
Personal Mission Statements can be simple or elaborate;
As simple as “Never give up!” or more descriptive, as the NED Show states,
“Never give up, Encourage others, and Do your best.”
Michele’s personal mission statement is: “Only the best is good enough.”
Honoring the best in myself and others will guide my intentions, my choices, my relationships…..my actions will reflect this truth. Sally’s personal mission statement is: “Live with joy and gratitude. Encourage and Inspire.” If what I am doing is not in line with how I have decided to live, and that most definitely happens daily, I gently remind myself of the commitment that I have made.
Our style and substance quick tip of the month:
- Put a pretty tea towel on your lap while driving to work and having that last cup of coffee or tea, maybe a bagel or protein bar. It makes you feel special and catches the inevitable spills and crumbs!
