Are You Charismatic?

Have you ever wondered why certain other people seem to be so confident, charismatic, personable and successful? They seem to receive an inordinate share of attention, approval and love. Some of them are beautiful, some are not; some are easy going, some are not. You may even wonder what the secret is that they have.

It may bother you as to why some people are preferred over others. We all want to be “liked” and “loved”, but what is it that gets others to like and love you? It’s got to do with your very own self – how you appear to others and what effort you put into being the person you are. Are you letting that charismatic part of you be expressed? A little voice inside of you may well be saying, “but I don’t have that kind of personality,” or “I am a shy person and I can’t change what I am.” That is true, you are what you are. This is not about changing the “you” that you are but rather about imagining, practicing and moving yourself into a new expanded charismatic self. People are always amazed to find that they can change what they think they are “stuck with.” Being “boring” is not like having blue eyes. It is learned. It is not determined genetically.

The discovery of your charisma begins with “garbage removal,” clearing away the psychological and physical blocks that prevent you from using this part of you. It means stretching out of the “comfort zone” you are hiding in because you are comfortable there. Anytime you make changes, you are going to feel uncomfortable.

We are secure with what we know. Take a moment to ask yourself this question: “What gives my life meaning?” Allow yourself to feel. Acknowledge your real feelings by going deeply into yourself, as this is a powerful precondition to becoming the director and creator of your life. From this experience, if you are totally honest with yourself, you will have a better understanding of yourself. Very often in our lives, we have done what we believed others wanted us to do or what others expected of us. Just expressing your feelings often eases emotional pain and also enhances feelings of innate self-worth.

If you can’t immediately imagine being confident, charismatic or having any of the qualities you’d like to have, remind yourself that it takes time and a lot of patience. There is no “quick fix” and having patience with yourself will give you the necessary detachment to face your “worst” feelings. To be charismatic, you must give yourself permission not only to know what you really feel but to express your inner thoughts openly.

One key to making changes is to avoid putting yourself down. You can make the changes to become the person you would like to be or to have the qualities you so admire in others. Most people suffer from occasional nagging doubt and negative self-talk such as, “They will resent it if I act sure of myself,” or, “I’m not as good as _______”. Change your thinking to “I am a worthy person” and “I choose to be in control of my life”. When you start saying these positive affirmations over and over, you will start to feel like you can do no wrong and eventually you will feel at ease and happy.

To keep this sense of being, you must play bodyguard to your own mind and feelings. Protect yourself from negative thoughts by being aware of your own obstacles and roadblocks that could prevent you from accomplishing this “new self”. You will then have the necessary tools to cope with challenges and problems that will inevitably come your way.

Knowing what hidden self-put-downs you have can save you from sabotaging yourself. Think back to your childhood and remember who the most critical person in your life was. What were the verbal and non-verbal messages that you received as a child about what you were, should be or should do? You may not even be aware that you have negative beliefs about yourself, but when you’re in a new or challenging situation, they may show up when you least expect them. Recognizing this will prevent them from taking over. Put-downs, messages of doubt, and self-hate prevent you from using your true gift – your real charisma.

It is practically impossible to achieve your positive and confident best when a small inner voice tells you that you’re really going to mess up. Your nonverbal signals will be in conflict with your verbal ones. It is very important for you to know that the nonverbal signals will be the ones that are believed. You may find you slump, fidget, twist your hair or pull at your ear. The nonverbal signs will betray you because you are feeling uncomfortable. Your inner critical voice is not the voice of truth; it simply delivers old messages that aren’t true. Once you realize that this is a consequence of messages received as a child, you will see that it is possible to acknowledge your own true self. That is the beginning of growth!

Don’t set yourself up for failure when you are making changes by having unrealistic expectations of yourself. Remember that no one is perfect. Admit to yourself that you are not perfect. Perfection is not only unlikely, it’s unreal! Most people have been programmed to believe that success is perfection – it is not.

Understanding that being charismatic is feeling confident, at ease, alive and in joyful communication with the world. It is something that each and every one of us has a right to have and to feel! Life will seem full of wonderful possibilities. Your charisma will then emerge like a butterfly from its cocoon – full of hope and expectancy as to what life has to offer! Soon other people will be looking at you and wondering what it is exactly that makes you so charismatic, personable and successful!