Last night I headed out to the movies to check out the latest in the Twilight saga, Eclipse. Needless to say, as I’m a helpless romantic, I loved it! However my friend, let’s call her SS, found Bella (the lead actress) somewhat whiny. I’d have to agree, however my focus was firmly set on the mostly shirtless Jacob, and Edward who was looking rather hot this time around too, and the love triangle they found themselves in. Throughout the movie I couldn’t help but put myself in Bella’s place (and allow indecent images to enter my mind on occasion I might add)!

Here is an observation to consider… I’ve noticed that as people get older, we don’t seem to recognise ourselves as in the age group that we are actually in! For instance, I am now in my mid 30′s and while watching the movie, SS pointed out that we were probably closer in age to Bella’s mum, not to the boys we were swooning over. Ouch!

We’ve crossed the mid-point! No longer really young, but not yet old either. So what will happen to our perception of ourselves as we get older I wonder? Will we see ourselves as we are or as we were? One thing is for sure, no one wants to be called mutton dressed up as lamb or a sleazy old fart!

Today’s success tip comes from Ben Fewtrell.

Ben co-owns one of the largest business coaching firms in Australia and has personally coached over 100 businesses. He is a regular contributor to several national business publications and is involved in other business interests that operate without his day-to-day involvement.

What do you think are the essential qualities or attributes of a great business leader?

Inspiration – a great leader inspires their team, their customers and the marketplace.

Vision – a great leader has a crystal clear vision. If you don’t have a destination you will never arrive, and you will never be able to lead your team – you will be on the road to nowhere!

Strength – a great leader needs the strength to climb the toughest of obstacles. Your team expect it of you. Sometimes that means making the tough decisions no one else wants to make. Imagine you were the CEO of a major bank when ATMs were introduced. You would have had to make the decision to shut down branches, and put people out of work. As tough as it was, the banks are now reporting huge profits!

Optimism – in business there are no failures. Whenever I make a mistake, I make sure I learn something. A couple of years ago I decided to start an international business, but the only thing I did successfully was lose a lot of money. I have met many people who would call this a failure. In my eyes this was a major lesson. To be a great leader you have to make it okay to make a mistake, as long as something is learnt.

Delegation, not abdication – a great leader will master the art of delegation and leverage through people, but will always remain responsible for the outcome.

This website contains even more great tips from Ben Fewtrell.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE NOW.

Today’s success tip comes from Chris Rewell.

Chris Rewell is Australia’s leading image professional with 24 years experience in the business of image. She has over 20,000 corporate, community and individual clients and has featured in the media numerous times.

What are your top eight image tips for women?

1. Wear your ‘best colours’. You’ll look healthier and younger and feel fabulous rather than looking tired and old. The compliments you will receive will pep you up, especially if you are having one of those ‘tired and old’ days.

2. Wear clothing lines congruent with your bodyline. Your clothing will look like a natural extension of you rather than something a friend passed on.

3. Buy the best quality clothing you can afford in neutral tones that suit you. Then acquire appropriate fashion colours to update your wardrobe seasonally.

4. Buy ‘quality’ costume jewellery (if you are not able to purchase the real thing) and quality accessories seasonally to update your outfits.

5. Keep seasonal stories consistent. Cords and tweeds don’t generally mix with dressy fabrics such as satin and silk. However, if you choose to follow mixed stories, think the outfit through, from your hairstyle to your shoes, so that you pull it together to achieve the real thing and not a terrible faux pas.

6. Grooming is essential. Hair, hands, skin and make-up all need to be appropriately considered.

7. Your body is the basis of your physical presence. Take care of it, respect it and dress it as if you love it, especially when you are ‘between weights’ and biding time for your ‘real weight’ to arrive.

8. Get to know your body and love it. You have to live in it for a long time.

What are your top eight image tips for men?

1. Wear your ‘best colours’. You’ll look healthy and strong rather than burnt out and over-worked.

2. Wear clothing lines congruent with your bodyline. Your clothing should look like a natural extension of you. Clothing appropriate to your bodyline will compliment your presence rather than being a distraction or sabotaging your appearance.

3. Buy the best ‘quality’ clothing you can afford in neutral tones that suit you. Seasonally acquire shirts, ties and accessories to update your wardrobe.

4. Know your body. Are you long in the torso and short in the legs, or vice versa, or is your body balanced? Are you high waisted? Are your arms short and your neck long? Are your shoulders tapered or square? In order to buy the right shirts, jackets or suits you need to know your body.

5. Buy ‘quality’ clothing. Quality is an investment in the future and the result of intelligent effort. Find a quality menswear store and create a relationship with the staff. Quality stores generally have experienced and well-trained people to assist you.

6. The objective is to project an image of substance and presence without others realising the impact that your clothes are contributing. The man should be seen, not the clothing.

7. Immaculate grooming is essential and should be complemented with a strong, straight posture.

8. Have a plan – build a wardrobe, not a collection of individual outfits.

This website contains even more great tips from Chris Rewell.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE NOW.

If you’re interested in why So Alive was founded, you’ll need to know a little bit more about me, Kathy v! Enjoy.

” I don’t know if this sounds like you, but I’ve always felt a little different to everyone else. I’m not one to fit in with the crowd… I’ve always stood out, and as a kid that threw some painful experiences my way.

As I got older I started realising that being different has its benefits! Standing for something and having an opinion means that I can make a mark in this world. It’s still not a walk in the park… Being a leader inherintly means that I’m often up the front, alone.

Looking back now, I’m grateful for ALL the challenges… They’ve given me the fuel and determination to live with passion and the purpose to help others benefit from my pain, failures and successes. Luckily there’s always more to share because challenges never go away! They do, however, become better quality challenges as I learn and grow.

My passion for Health and Vitality stemmed from my lack of it in my younger years. As a child I was struck down with colds and flus probably every few months and sometimes they lasted for weeks. I got pneumonia, the mumps, recurring tonsillitis, and I also engaged in over-eating and yo-yo dieting in my teens (including suffering from anorexia). Moving into my 20’s, while I was improving, I still felt very frustrated… two steps forward and one step back! But you wouldn’t recognise me now… I live with high-energy, and sickness is a thing of the past.

Personal development is also something I’m really excited about now, because I know what it’s done for me! Growing up, my confidence and self-esteem were definitely in need of a shape up. All the way into my mid 20′s I very often felt lonely, sad and simply just not good enough. I spent heaps of time feeling sick and depressed, so at the end of the day, I didn’t have any energy left to make things happen… what a waste! I’m now glad to say that I’ve discovered that the more I learn from others, the more I grow and the better I feel about myself and my life. I choose to be healthy and happy (most of the time!), so I can achieve all that I’m meant for. With every year I just get better and better!

If you know that you are capable of much more than you are currently experiencing in your life, please grab a hold of the resources that So Alive has to offer… that’s what they’re here for, so that you can live a wonderful life. And of course, as you start to make progress, I’d love to hear from you… it’s what I live for! Please post a comment on my blog, shoot through an email or give me a buzz.”