Everyone has a personal message they repeat over and over
again in their work, their speech and their body language. It’s not something
you consciously develop, but it’s consistent and everyone knows it…except you. Some
are positive; some not so much. In fact, you may be mortified, enraged or
embarrassed if you did.

Here are some personal messages some of my clients have
overcome that weren’t very favorable.

If you ask me where
something is or how it’s going, I’ll say I’ll get back to you. Actually, I’m
clueless and out of touch.

 I’ll say I’ll do it
but you can’t count on me. Something else will distract me. My excuse will
sound plausible and you will feel heartless if you don’t accept it. Regardless,
I won’t deliver.

 I’ll tell you only if
you ask me, but don’t hold me to it because I’m unsure myself. If you try to
hold me to it, I’ll remind you not to rely on my opinion.

 Don’t even think
that I’m wrong. If you disagree with me, I’ll take it personally and will fight
you all the way. You WILL be sorry.

 Leave me alone. I’m
only going to do what I want to do when I want to do it.

 I will tell you I
support you, but I don’t want to be disagreeable with someone who doesn’t
support you. I’ll try to play both ends from the middle. I’m on your
side…maybe.

 You do the work and
I’ll take the credit. After all, you couldn’t have done it without me.

Everyone has a message. You should know yours, but it
will be difficult to get because people generally aren’t willing to take the
risk of telling you, especially if it’s not positive. Ask anyway and see if you
hear some common themes. When you know the message you’re sending, you can
manage it with new habits and routines. Otherwise, you’re left to repeating the
message.

As you begin the new year, set a goal to know, understand
and clean up your message. It will raise your level of professionalism and make
you a better person.