I’ve been thinking about why some people get breaks and others do not. My first thought was that breaks are the second step in your climb up the ladder. Of course, the first step is the preparation that goes into being ready and prepared (another topic for later posts) once that break is presented. Part of the path is the image you present.

As you consider your image, understand that your image is a combination of all the things people see, hear, read about, and observe about you. It's a combination of everything people are presented when it comes to your name.

Some things to think about:

• Your image is formed by how you choose to appear

• Your image is formed by who you choose to associate with

• Your image is formed by how you choose to answer questions

• Your image is formed by how you choose to talk and what words you choose to use

• Your image is formed by how others see you on the job -- how you choose to act

• Your image is formed by how others see you choose to act in off hours

• Your image is formed by how you choose to treat other people

• Your image is formed by how reliable you choose to be

As you can see, the list can go on and on. For some this may be an intimidating list that feels like you can never escape the evaluation of others. I get that, but I also believe that's the reality. But there's something really good about this image thing; in every one of the items above the word choice is used.

We have the final choice in how we want to be perceived. What more could you ask for? How lucky can you get! You control this!

So continue to work on your image as it is a continuous work in progress for all of us. Make sure that what you want delivered is what you actually deliver! And the best way to do this is to be your genuine self. Imposters are often easy to spot and quickly eliminated. Your choice!