Take notice of your POSTURE

How often do you take notice of your posture?  Do you observe how others position themselves?  

There are multiple definitions of the word posture which address the position and condition of the body, mind and attitude. 

“the position or bearing of the body”¹“state or condition at a given time especially with respect to capability in particular circumstances”¹
“a conscious mental or outward behavioral attitude”¹

I can remember being told as a child to “stand up straight” and that “bad posture can affect your back”.  My teacher often encouraged students to sit up straight.  I became accustomed to adjusting my body position and my mindset even when I was not particularly interested in the topic.  I learned that good posture helped me to stay focused and attentive.  Body language can also send signals to others about how interested you are.  People draw perceptions about you based upon your posture and attitude.  Teachers seemed to favor the students who maintained good posture and were paying attention.  Students that frequently slouched at their desks and did not seem to be paying attention did not get good grades and were often dismissed or overlooked by teachers.  There was a strong connection between posture, perception and performance. 

Let’s now consider the non-physical definitions of posture.  What does your mental posture and attitude say about you?  Does your posture match the signal that you are trying to give to others about who you are?  Posture is about the condition of the mind and attitude regardless of your circumstances and environment. 

I often tell my children:

“It is not about your environment.  You take yourself with you everywhere you go.
  Control your own attitude and posture regardless of your circumstances.  You have little
  control over your environment once you are in it. ”

Have you ever walked into a room, looked around and made assumptions about people based on their posture, speech and attitude?  When walking into a meeting, can you pick out who is in charge before they are introduced?  I remember being at an event once and noticing a well dressed woman working the room.  She was shaking hands, introducing herself and giving out her card to many of the executives that were at the event.  I assumed that she was a guest panelist or some important dignitary.  I later discovered that she was unemployed.  She was not just “networking”, she carried herself like someone that was really important.  In her mind, body and spirit, she was the president of her own company!  Clearly, she assumed a posture that commanded respect and attention based on where she perceived herself to be.  I learned from that experience. 

Posture and attitude can send out strong signals about you.  If you see yourself as a leader, act like one before you have the title or position.  Create a vision in your mind and assume the role and the posture.

• If you want to be promoted to an executive position at work, start acting
  like you’re an executive today.  Assume the position in your head.  Step
  into the role.  Dress the part, talk the part and act the part.  Model the
  behavior and allow your energy and attitude to to start shaping your destiny.

• If you want to be in a happy relationship with your spouse or partner,
  assume the position today in your mind and in your attitude.

• If you aspire to have wealth or to change your financial picture,
  assume the position today.  See yourself as someone with wealth
  and provision even if your finances are low today.  Don’t act like
  you are broke or speak poverty over your life.  Speak and act like you
  already have provision.  I DO NOT mean to imply that you should
  spend money that you do not have.J  I simply mean that you should
  carry yourself like someone who has achieved wealth and that has
  favor over their life instead of constantly acting broke.

Make the connection between posture, perception and performance.  Assume the
attitude and behavior of the position that you aspire to be in.  Act like you are already
where you want to be in life.  In your mind, add the the title to your name before you
have it.  Become "Dr. Smith" in your mind today and believe that the credentials
will follow.  Believe it and you will receive it!

¹ http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/posture