Aspire to a Fresh New You!

Back in the swing of things? Lazy days on the beach, late nights and even later mornings a thing of the past? Those of you who wrote a list of New Year’s resolutions have probably already consigned it to the bin as reality and disillusionment set in. With this our first e-letter of the year we aim to rekindle your enthusiasm and inspire you towards a truly wondrous 2005!

Forget resolutions – what do you aspire to be, to achieve and to attain in 2005 ?

Aspirations for a New Year

A New Year – a fresh start, a new chapter of your life. This month you will come across many articles encouraging to change, set goals, start a fresh, make a list of resolutions

We are so charged up that we set ourselves monumental tasks eg. loose 20 kilo’s, become the M.D., clear all the clutter in my house and learn to speak Hindi before March. By the end of January you are emotionally exhausted by these unrealistic expectations which have only served to lower your morale and self- esteem. By yearning for instant transformation you engage in self sabotage

It is not about trying to make changes once a year-it is about continuous growth and improvement because we are all “A Work in Progress”

“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us”

Joseph Campbell

So let’s begin by:

Discarding your resolutions, instead take pen in hand and begin to write down your aspirations, dreams, desires

Remember - you first need to have a dream before you can have a dream come true

Ask yourself what is it that I really need instead of what do I want? Be courageous and contemplate in what is it truly that you need to make you content in this time of your life

Give thanks for, rather than resenting the ordinary life you have

Be willing to change, be open to new and perhaps better ways to do things. Write a list of changes and how you would set out to practically achieve them. Prioritise these changes-is it more important for you to learn to say no to others or to swim 20 laps each morning?

Make choices that will lead to changes. One year from now you could be living your dream! However this involves choosing your destiny between now and then-how?
By making 365 tiny choices along the way – these tiny choices lead to tiny changes ...

Greet every morning as a 2nd (or 3rd, 4th even 5th) chance to get things right – every day brings with it new challenges and the opportunity to shape your own destiny

“The people who get on in this world are the people who
get up and look for the circumstances they want, and,
if they can’t find them, make them”

George Bernard Shaw

Have courage to change the old – old issues, old patterns, old guilt. This may require you to make changes or take action that others may not like. Be courageous in your beliefs eg terminating a dead-end relationship

Establish support systems for yourself both personally and professionally
“Ask for help. Not because you are weak, but because you want to remain strong” - Les Brown (Motivational Speaker)

Laugh often. Find the humour in situations, laugh in the face of life’s absurdities

For those that have found this article has struck a chord within, Professional Impressions offers a fantastic and inspirational corporate workshop that relates to achieving personal aspirations.

A Work in Progress will encourage you to take a step back and re–evaluate your life. This practical workshop will enable you to see yourself and others in a new way.

For more information contact Professional Impressions
Tel: (011) 679–3036 Cell: 082 895 7924 email: prof–imp@mweb.co.za

Cool Yet Professional

“Summer time and the living is easy” so the song goes. Dressing for summer should be easy too, but the road to stylish summer dressing is lined with pitfalls. We need to feel and look cool, however the nature of summer fashions – revealing, soft, colourful are often not in line with professional work guidelines.

So during these sweltering hot days ...

Choose your FABRIC carefully:

Summer weight fabrics are sheer, soft and floaty. The crisper the fabric, the better. Fabric that is too limp and floppy is better suited to the bedroom rather than the boardroom

Ensure that the fabric you choose has “breath ability”. Clothes with a large % of natural fibre eg cotton, silk will keep you looking cool rather than sweaty and stressed.

Chiffon is out there in many forms, from long floaty dresses to lithe tank tops, from plains to wild jungle prints, from soft colours to vibrant neons. Chiffon by nature is soft and draping, good for curvy figures.

But remember ...

Too much of the floaty sends out an overly feminine message, which might detract from your credibility
Team soft with more tailored for greater impact
When wearing sheer fabrics such as chiffon-choose underwear carefully eg wear a toning or flesh coloured camisole rather than a little lacy number

Satin is around in abundance, re-inventing everything from cargo pants to tailored skirts

But remember ...

Avoid the head to toe in satin, it is better suited to evening. Use in small quantities – a shirt rather than the whole suit
Satin does have a tendency to cling. If worn too tight-it can make you look like a pork sausage about to explode. Rather go for lined garments or heavier weight fabric which will cling less

There is an abundance of linen and linen mixes right now

But remember ...

Linen is disastrous for work (unless you stand all day) as it creases instantly. Looking like an unmade bed is not going to get you that promotion. Remember to crush test all garments before you buy them

Cotton t-shirts are ideal for hot weather –they are cool and breathable. Look for a t-shirt with a hint of lycra, this will ensure the garment retains its shape

But remember ...

It must at all times look crisp and pristine. Keep the limp and tired looking ones for your gym work out.

COLOURS are wild this season-strong neon brights such as limes, oranges and fuchsias.

But remember ...

These very vibrant colours don’t suit everyone, often making people look flushed and overheated. Strong colours especially if worn together or from head to toe, might be a bit too daunting on the eye:

Rather team one strong colour with a softer version of that colour for a stunning tonal look
Try wearing a bright colour with this seasons neutrals – black or white
Too feel and appear more cool opt for a softer version of the brights – aqua instead of turquoise, apricot instead of orange

Confused and dismayed? Why not treat yourself/your staff to a Professional Impressions personal consultation. We offer individualised consultations to suit all budgets and time constraints.

For more information contact Professional Impressions
Tel: (011) 679–3036 Cell: 082 895 7924 email: prof–imp@mweb.co.za

Cash in on the Sales

The Silly Sales Season

Normally sensible during the year – some of us
seem to loose control at the sign of 50% off!

We consider January not December to be the silly season. Why? This is when all sense, logic and decorum go out the window when we hit THE SALES. Normally sensible the rest of the year we all seem to loose control at the sign of 50% off!

Here are some pointers on how to recognise a good bargain and avoid the “what was I thinking of ...” question

Great Buys:

Something that you have been lusting after all year and is now marked down hugely (eg a designer label neutral pant suit)
An item that is in your size and fits properly
Timeless, classical pieces that will not date either in colour or styling
Clothes that fill real ( not imagined ) gaps in your wardrobe

Trawl the shops that you would not usually visit because you feel they are above your price range – they can often have some of the best reductions and because they are better made will last that much longer

Disaster waiting to happen:

High fashion that will look “very last year” in about 2 weeks
Seasonal prints and colours
An item which is contrary to your day to day dress style
Anything shop soiled or damaged – often can’t be fixed despite your best intentions
Garments that are too small, fabrics that don’t hang well – there’s usually a reason they are still sitting on the rack
If it isn’t something you would normally choose if money were no object, don’t buy it, even if it is the bargain of the century, you will never get further than the bathroom door in it
Try it on – shops can be picky about returning sale items – and no matter how much it has been reduced, don’t buy it unless you are certain you will wear it

Apply the match 3 principle:

Does it match at least 3 other items in my wardrobe?
Can I wear it for at least 3 occasions?
Can I wear it over 3 seasons?

Sale shopping can be a messy nightmare but remember your colours and you will save hours by only scrutinising those pieces that are the best shades for you

It is better to come home empty handed and in pocket than to buy something for the sake of it and waste money!

Professional Impressions would like to credit the following for information used in this article:

Give Stress a Rest – Karen Wolfe, Natalie Manor and others
Romancing the Ordinary – Sarah Ban Breathnach
Simple Abundance – Sarah Ban Breathnach
Something More – Sarah Ban Breathnach
Its Your Move – Cyndi Maxey
Colour Me beautiful Newsletter – Jan 2004
Cosmopolitan – October 2004
Femina – December 2004

Should any of your friends, family or colleagues be interested in Professional Impressions and the services we have to offer, please feel free to pass this on to them.

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Make Your First Impression the Lasting One
Tel: 011 679 3036
Cell: 082 8957924
www.profimpressions.co.za