You know how it goes. You’re getting ready for that “important” meeting. What should you wear—how should you appear? There is that bothersome voice whispering, “How should a (fill in the blank) lawyer, business women, consultant, etc look and act?” We try and conform to our guess of “their” expectation of how someone from our profession behaves and appears.

It is a rather ridiculous exercise—trying to anticipate the expectations of someone else. Just be yourself. Show your true personality and strengths. Of course, you will appear professional enough so as to not detract from your expertise. You are not going to show up wearing a ridiculous outfit and you are not going to act in an obnoxious or outrageous manner.

By playing a part, you make it extremely difficult to connect to your audience in an authentic way so as to form real, lasting relationships. Bottom line, your mother was right—be yourself!

If you do not trust that your self is strong and sufficient enough to get the job done—we have a bigger issue!

Thank you for your comments: laura@realwomenwin.com #bereal.