Unlike a contest, when it comes to setting goals, there’s no closing date. We’re only a few weeks into the New Year so the timing is perfect. All the holiday brouhaha is over and with this ferociously cold weather, what could be better than quiet contemplation in a cozy, warm room?

Not to put a damper on the time-honoured tradition of making resolutions, but setting goals takes personal aspirations to a new plateau. Instead of simply resolving to lose ten pounds, the goal setter determines to keep them off. See what I mean? You’re putting a spin on a resolution and by making it a goal, you’re providing the extra steam necessary to reach that plateau.

Part of my ritual is reviewing some of my goals from past years. As I read my old notes I’m amazed that dreams have become reality and in many cases, surpassed my wildest expectations. Clearly, goals setting, works for me. But it was a supplier who encouraged me to write about this annual rite of mine. He was so enthusiastic about the entire process and how it contributes to self-development, I thought I could offer some encouragement for establishing a goal setting initiative.

In my case, the instigator was my good friend Peggy McColl, whose life work is helping people achieve their goals. During the early years, she worked with me. Peggy made it fun. Although we laughed like schoolgirls, ultimately, she inspired me to establish my goals and — to dream. Now, I review my goals every day. I even record them so I can listen on my IPod.

Peggy’s process helped me develop my focus. Now, it’s my turn to share this process with you. Here we go!

I start by listing the 8 main categories:

• Relationships: Personal and Professional
• Health and Fitness
• Business / Career
• Personal Development / Education
• Financial
• Spiritual
• Donations / Community service
• Fun stuff: things I’d like to do, to have

Then I answer these 3 questions:

• What’s stopping me from achieving my goals?
• My identity today, who do I believe I am now?
• My new identity, who am I now?

Then, my big dreams — I call it my wild sheet. Dreaming big or small costs the same but dreaming big is a lot more fun! It’s critical to start every sentence with I am, I have, I … etc.

If nothing stopped me:

• Who would I be?
• Where would I be?
• What would I have?

And finally, a last little nudge. Setting goals is positive and fun. Besides, you’ve got more to gain than to lose!

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And many of these resolutionists are so unschooled at working out it’s scary. Excessive weights, pathetic posture on the Stairmaster and high-speed reps are all common infractions. But with a mindset of overcoming holiday splurging, poorly executed sit-ups and crunches are positively epidemic.

I have always known that form is all when it comes to these core workouts but never realized that sit-ups are absolutely off-limits for some people, until I read Unbreakable: A woman’s triumph over osteoporosis, by Christine Thomas. I met Christine five years ago when she booked an image consultation. But she had embarked on her journey in 2001 as a 42-year old new mom who had just been diagnosed with osteoporosis. After fracturing her spine in five places, even the simple act of lifting her newborn daughter was too much for her fragile and compromised skeletal system.

I guess before I met Christine, like most people I thought of osteoporosis (if I thought of it, at all) as a disease of very old people. Not so. This year, an estimated 1.5 million Canadians over 40 years of age and older will be diagnosed with osteoporosis. Startling. And this is what makes Christine’s book so important. Far more than the story of her personal evolution as she unraveled the challenges of osteoporosis, Unbreakable is a guide for anyone concerned about brittle bones — from pain management to calcium supplements and their much needed additive, Vitamin D, to bone density tests and stretching techniques. It’s all here, exercises to avoid — the infamous sit-up — and exercises to embrace: get in the pool! This is the ultimate resource on living with osteoporosis.

Here’s an excerpt from Unbreakable that traces Christine’s reasons for contacting me —and the happy outcome:

“Fractures affect the figure! The loss of height and curvature of my spine made me more compact and thickened my waist because the distance between my underarms and waist, and my waist to my hips was less than it used to be. Clothes that used to look lovely no longer fit very well and shopping was frustrating.

Diane Craig was kind and confident as she helped me build a wardrobe. We chose current fashions that fit my personal taste and flattered my new physique. Picking the right wardrobe helped me to accept what I cannot change about my body. It helped rebuild a positive self-image despite the consequences of my fractures. Through a figure and style analysis, I became more aware and more accepting of my body’s proportions and learned secrets to enhance my overall appearance by selecting correct lines and designs. This was and continues to be one of my greatest investments in healing my emotional wounds and lifting my spirits.”

Merci Christine. Bonne année et bonne santé!

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Since 2007, when their Colour of the Year concept was introduced, Pantone Colour Institute has gathered information from various influential sources, including the Milan furniture fair and international clothing designers, to get an indication of pivotal, new colour directions. The Pantone team interprets the various results before the final announcement is made:
“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues.” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute

I couldn’t agree more. Psychologically, pink is such a positive colour. Take la vie en rose. We’re tickled pink and in the pink of health; we look at the world through rose coloured glasses. Part of the fun and magic of following colour trends is the curious coincidences that occur. I’m thinking of iconic fashion legend Diana Vreeland and her famous proclamation in the 1960s; “Pink is the navy blue of India.” Vreeland was famously known for her championing of pink. In the film musical, Funny Face, with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire, Kay Thompson plays an autocratic fashion director who adores pink. And now, Allure, Vreeland’s book compiled with encouragement from her friend, editor Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and published 30 years ago has just been reprinted. Quelle coincidence!

I’m not suggesting that “pink is the new black” but I’m always intrigued to see a colour show up on numerous runways in the same season — and Honeysuckle certainly does.

I am delighted with the announcement. I love the colour; it’s fresh, new and sexy. Unlike many shades of pink, it works for both warm and cool skin tones. The absence of blue notes makes Honeysuckle ideal for warm skin — often characterized by freckles while the underlying vibrancy helps to brighten cool skin.

It’s important to understand that cool skin is as likely to be found on brunettes as blondes. Think Catherine Zeta Jones. Same story for warm skin — blonde or brunette is not really the determining factor. There’s no question that analyzing your skin tone can be a bit of a challenge. So in celebration of the (almost) universally wearable Honeysuckle, I’m offering a special invitation to my Colour Analysis Tip Sheet.

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I will admit to a soft spot for black tie, a fondness for three-piece suits and a liking for tweed jackets with cashmere sweaters and cords, when the occasions arise. But this leaning towards tailored clothing doesn’t rule out hoodies and sweat pants — as long as they’re confined to the gym! Because when it comes to dressing down, I’m with Jerry Seinfeld. In the episode called The Pilot, where Jerry and George are pitching a TV network with their idea for a new show, Jerry wants George to shape up and dress the part:

“You know the message you’re sending out to the world with these sweatpants? You’re telling the world, ‘I give up. I can’t compete in normal society. I’m miserable, so I might as well be comfortable.’” Jerry in The Pilot

Jerry really got it right. Clothing does send a message. But there’s an enormous side benefit to a well-groomed appearance and general sense of “dressing up” — it gives you a lift. Big time. One of the greatest advocates of this philosophy is my friend Bill Shaddy. As former Senior Director of International Personnel Operations at Pepsi, Bill knows “the right stuff” when it comes to stocking his closet. These days, however, things are a little more complicated. For starters, he has all the buttons on his shirts replaced with snaps. Bill, I should explain, has been living with MS for the last 18 years and snaps are just easier than wrangling with a button and bitty hole. Rain or shine, Bill dresses up. His only concession is a stylish cane by his side.

After life in the fast lane — including overseas postings in London, India, Cyrus and eventually Corporate HQ, just outside New York City — Bill now lives in Sarasota, Florida. Naturally, the local “dress code” is far more casual than his habitual boardroom haunts. He accepts that a relaxed dress code makes sense in Sarasota’s climate and that it’s a lifestyle thing, too. It’s only natural that clothes reflect the laid-back culture of Florida but I can picture Bill saying; “Dressing up just makes one feel so much better!” His sense of well being reflects a keen level of attention to detail. Trousers need a little extra knee-room to accommodate his new, life-changing walk-aid (link) and there are the snap alterations on shirts. Actually, Bill has become adept at making adjustments:

“My left side is sort of ‘going for the tide’ so I need to request restaurant servers to be certain my food is cut into bite-size pieces.”

Certainly the greatest adjustment was his decision to leave Pepsi. It was an intense and dynamic environment. The focus of his work was building local business teams in critical, emerging markets while helping to drive Pepsi operating systems. An essential component of his mandate was fostering the company’s global, cultural values at a local level. There were some challenges during the earliest stages of his diagnosis, when colleagues noticed something was not quite right. Ultimately, despite encouragement to remain on the job, Bill made his move to medically retire and relocate to Florida, so he could better manage his health agenda. Today, his mandate, depending on how he feels, is to deliver Junior Achievement basic business programs to students at local middle schools.

When it comes to dressing up, Bill Shaddy and I are on the same wavelength. Merci Bill for sharing your point of view!

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Although the FAT question is all too familiar, when it comes to image and creating an individual sense of style, my guiding principle is body proportion. What most people don’t realize is that while ten pounds makes the difference between one size and the next, those same ten pounds don’t alter the basic proportions of a body. Short neck or short legs? The right necklines and skirt silhouettes will play magical tricks. Same story for sloping shoulders or thick thighs. My strategy is to enhance the body’s framework with confidence-building clothing.

I know size doesn’t really matter because ten pounds here or there won’t make a difference to the body’s intrinsic shape, but sometimes it’s a challenge to make a perfectly proportioned client accept the fact that her Size 10 or 12 frame is not overweight. There is something wrong when educated, successful women have Size 0 as a goal. Last fall I mentioned Countess Filippa, the Ralph Lauren model fired for weighing in at 120 pounds. To add insult to injury, scary Photoshopping for a Japanese advertisement turned her body into a Barbie doll.

There’s no question that the fashion industry is the source of this Size 0 fixation and now, with the annual release of the mega-sized fashion magazines and their fall coverage, I’m inclined to think there’s extra pressure brought to bear. I was intrigued to read in a recent New York Times article, that German magazine Brigitte has decided, instead of rail thin models, to photograph real women, despite hostile criticism from designer Karl Lagerfeld. Incidentally, when Herr Lagerfeld designed a condensed collection for retailer H&M a few years ago, he insisted that production be restricted to small sizes.

Closer to home, Glamour magazine has made headlines for featuring so-called plus-size models on several occasions. (Most would argue that these women are healthy and normal, not overweight.) Although the intent is noble — to discourage women from aspiring to wafer thinness — the overwhelming trend for fashion shows and photography continues to be Size 0 models.

But there is progress, of a different sort. Typically fashion magazines worship youth but three of this fall’s gigantic issues feature 40-plus cover girls. Something of a milestone, although admittedly, all three are movie stars: Julia Roberts (Elle), Halle Berry (Vogue), Jennifer Aniston (Harper’s Bazaar).

Read more from Glamour, “Who says supermodels have to be thin?”

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Last week, I admit, I had an Inspector Poirot moment. Really. I couldn’t help myself because as I was having lunch outside at a local restaurant, a young woman at the table next to me was speaking so loudly it was open season on eavesdropping. I suppose I could have moved to another table but my lunch had arrived, my seat was in the shade and I was, I confess, intrigued. Quickly, I rationalized my situation as “professional field research.”

Apparently, the woman had been sent home from work to change her clothes. She was furiously bashing her boss, “Miss Perfect in her purr-fect little cardigan, linen pants and sling backs.”

How could I resist?  There I was with a ringside seat. I leaned in a little closer.

It didn’t take long to sort things out. The self-proclaimed victim showed up for Casual Friday in flip-flops and leggings, prompting her boss, the so-called Miss Perfect, to send her home to change. The tirade continued, “What’s the matter with her? Doesn’t she know Friday’s the day you let it all hang out? It’s the day that transitions you into the weekend. Doesn’t she know anything about dressing down? Doesn’t she ever relax?”

Whew! Quite an outburst and yet the friend said nothing. At the time I thought she should have backed up the boss; after all, sending someone home to change sends a pretty strong message. I guess she knew there was no point. I’ve come to realize that since the young woman in flip flops could read the signals — cardigan, linen slacks, sling backs — but didn’t get the point, she’s probably not the right person for the job.

The moral of the story? Actually, I guess there are a couple:

• Please let this be the last time I say it this summer — flip-flops are for the beach.
• Leggings are ideal for workouts, and that’s where they belong.
• Look to the top for cues about casual dress codes. Where skirt and pant suits rule, don’t even think about showing up in a sundress.
• Same goes for guys, if suits and ties are routine most days, chances are polo shirts are off-limits on Friday.
• And finally, beware of boss bashing. You never know who’s listening.

And speaking of bosses, Standford Professor and best-selling author, Bob Sutton, has a new book — Good Boss, Bad Boss: How to Be the Best… and Learn from the Worst —that’s scheduled for release September 7.

I haven’t seen it yet but advance press makes it clear Dr. Sutton has directed his book at employees, not the boss! Should be an interesting read.

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I was reminded of the importance of this much needed, self-assurance component in everyone’s life when last week two emails, one from my colleague Catherine Bell and one from a client’s mother, reached my inbox almost simultaneously. Catherine sent me a recent article of hers entitled Look Beyond the Disability that touches upon the difference between how she’s treated when she uses a cane — necessitated by the late effects of childhood polio —and when she doesn’t. As I scrolled through Catherine’s article, my thoughts turned to my client Melissa Vassallo and coincidentally, an email arrived from her mother with news about an upcoming celebration.

Four years after her accident, Melissa arrived at my office using a walker. She was lovely looking, her face untouched by the accident, and she had a sincere, winning smile. During our first encounter I detected a note of sadness as Melissa expressed the daily frustrations of trying to look and feel her most attractive. She wanted, and needed, to feel better about herself.

Over time, we worked together and as you can see, Melissa is justifiably proud of her journey. What was a winning smile has blossomed into a beaming smile! Bravo Melissa.

TV interview
Meet this self-assured young woman with her infectious enthusiasm as she outlines her efforts to bring “Accessible Sailing,” in partnership with the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion Foundation, to Oakville, Ontario. http://vimeo.com/10492683 (password: sailing)

Mobility devices
Today, Melissa dashes around town on her Sidewalk-SUV and when she parks the sporty red scooter for a night out with friends, she’ll grab one of the many canes from her stylish collection. People often ask if she’s tripped, or “something” — they have no idea of the extent of her injuries. Melissa has truly mastered her very own sense of style!

Although Melissa and Catherine both use mobility devices/canes, what they really have in common is a highly developed sense of personal style. Catherine is a professional Image Consultant with a background in fashion, but what many people don’t realize is that she is also an advocate for people with disabilities. (In June 2009, Catherine was Ontario March of Dimes’ delegate at the Canadian Government Roundtable: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.)

Catherine writes persuasively in Look Beyond the Disability:  “People who use a wheelchair or other assistive devices for mobility can still make their own decisions, speak for themselves and contribute fully in the workplace and society. Often people assume that someone who can’t hear is unable to communicate; they may even question their competency. People who have a visual impairment may appear confused when someone abruptly leaves them standing alone in the middle of a room without telling them where the furniture is located. But this doesn’t mean that they’ll be confused when it comes to doing business, living alone in their home, or navigating new territory.”

Sadly, many well meaning individuals lack the know-how or etiquette to interact with people with disabilities:

• Ask before you help: never presume a person needs help
• Ask how before you act: a wheelchair or scooter is considered personal space
• Never touch unless help is requested and specific instructions are given about where to place your hands
• Offer assistance only when there appears to be a need
• Say “person with a disability,” not disabled person
• Not sure what to say? Ask — most people with disabilities avoid the term “challenged”

And finally, among friends humour has a role to play. My sister-in-law, on my late husband’s side, was born with spina bifida and is a wheelchair user. I often joke with her; “You always get the best seat in the house,” or “I see you’ve got new snow tires.”  Remember, etiquette is all about putting people at ease.

Perhaps you have a related story to tell or a question about the protocols of sensitivity training in the workplace? Let us know and post a comment or email directly.

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As Liz candidly shared her Personal Journey, we watched her evolve from the strained stance of the Before image to her effortless sense of poise in the After picture. She embarked on her journey as an attractive, clever young woman but emerged transformed by self-assurance; I also want to point out the wonderful gift of self-esteem bestowed on Liz as she discovered her own style. When you present yourself well dressed, well accessorized, well groomed, it’s pleasing to the eye, displays harmony, demonstrates respect for others — and causes people to be more receptive. 

Today, we enthusiastically embrace professional help on a vast range of subjects. With this series I wanted to make the point that to look our best, we can all use some help. We all have a unique look and physical assets. What we do with what we have often conceals the real beauty; our liabilities govern, not our assets.

During the past few years, we’ve been inundated with extreme, some would say excessive makeovers and in the parlance of the reality shows, reveal after reveal. We’ve watched as medical wizards reconfigured every part of a woman’s anatomy and the equally bizarre effects of media doctors retouching a young model’s torso.

Here, in this series — the reality show called life — what you see is what you get. No retouching — no slimming nor trimming, no eye brightening nor teeth whitening, no fine-tuning — simply put, no photoshopping. Just pure Liz!

Liz has some final thoughts:
“I told Diane, at the end of our final session, that I feel like an entirely different person, more confident  — and it shows.  My look has been transformed dramatically and now I look like a young professional. Throughout the process, I’ve received compliments from my friends and coworkers and both my manager and director commented on my new image.  My director feels very strongly about the importance of image and presentation. His positive comments confirm that I’ve achieved my goal to project a capable and confident image. I’m fortunate that I met Diane and had the opportunity to go through her Image Enhancement Programme at this early stage in my career.  It will undoubtedly have a profound effect on my career development.  I highly recommend this programme. Thank you so much Diane!”

Stay tuned!   (Note that you can now have our blog posts delivered to your Inbox by clicking on the Subscribe link on the right side of this page.)

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It was going to be a long day. Extensive editing left Liz with a minimal wardrobe; we were starting from scratch. Experience told me that Liz — like many clients — could be overwhelmed by the great number of choices. I reassured her that I did, indeed, have a plan.

More than a shopping spree, this was going to be a hands-on learning experience. Liz would make endless changes as she tried on all the various colours and styles we had discussed. Her budget was limited so my first stop at Freda’s was the sale rack— just in case a hidden treasure lurked there, waiting to be discovered. I reminded Liz that regardless of how tempting the price was; a bargain didn’t qualify for consideration unless it met all the criteria:
• Item on the wardrobe plan
• Right style and colour
• Quality fabric and workmanship

Liz remained calm throughout the entire process and changed from one outfit to another as we discussed the finer points of tailoring, fit, mixing and matching. I stressed the importance of good accessories — sacrifice quality and the art of accessorizing is lost.

When the day was finally over and the shopping bags filled, I was delighted to realize — Liz discovered she loves to shop!

“I usually find business attire uncomfortable (I don’t think I’m alone on this!) and although everything I tried on at Freda’s wasn’t as comfortable as my ‘lululemons’ — most things paired fashion and comfort brilliantly.

I immediately saw the difference in quality between what I typically wore in the past, and the new standards Diane has instilled in me. She had me try on some things that weren’t particularly flattering — not my favourite part of the day, but a necessary evil and terrific learning experience.

Each outfit Diane developed was finished with accessories.  She found an amazing suit and paired it with a large silver necklace for a gorgeous, classic look. Then she gave the suit a dramatic edge that I love, with a tortoise shell belt and a pair of industrial earrings — what a transformation! This exercise showed me how important it is to use accessories to set the tone of my outfit and achieve my desired look. Before I wore belts for practical reasons but now they’re my new favourite accessories!

Although I’m far more confident about shopping, I’ll take along the Personal Style Guide Diane prepared. In the meantime, I can’t wait to show off the new me.”

A final note: I’m always looking for the optimum suppliers for my clients. I need to feel confident that when my consultations are over, they’re in good hands as they continue to build their wardrobes. My standards are high:  I look for knowledgeable staff, impeccable service, tremendous variety, excellent fitting and alteration capabilities. Freda’s is the perfect problem-solver! All the must-have elements are there. This remarkable store carries designs by Freda, manufactured on site, and numerous other designers. Every category is covered from fun casual wear to business attire — even cocktail clothes and evening gowns. There’s a wonderful, varied selection.

One of Freda’s unique features is the large and sophisticated in-house manufacturing facility. Imagine you’ve spotted the perfect suit, but want a special colour — or great dress but want a lighter fabric. No worries! Because all the designing, sewing and finishing are completed upstairs. This makes shopping a dream come true for anyone with “challenging” body proportions. At Freda’s, the possibilities are endless.  www.fredas.com

Stay tuned!   (Note that you can now have our blog posts delivered to your Inbox by clicking on the Subscribe link on the right side of this page.)

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I explained to Liz, that this stage of her journey would take at least three and a half hours. We had a lot to accomplish.

First step, to address her body proportions:
   •  Sloping or straight shoulders, narrow or broad?
   •  High bust or low?
   •  Full hips or narrow?
   •  Short legs or long?

These are just a few of the measurements that would ultimately determine the most successful looks for Liz. The best skirt length, the right pant silhouette, the most flattering jacket, a turtleneck or cowl, wide belts or narrow — all these issues, plus, so many more, would be resolved, once I knew her body proportions. As many of you know, my background is haute couture and there is no better training for understanding the challenges of dressing the female figure!

Part two of the Style Analysis takes an in depth look at the client’s style or clothing “personality.” This is strongly influenced by body proportions. Let me give you some examples: Dolly Parton could never wear Audrey Hepburn’s streamlined looks, nor could Nicole Kidman carry Jennifer Lopez’s signature sense of style.   Once you know, understand and accept your body shape — regardless of weight gains or losses —you’ll know your best look.

It was essential that Liz understood her figure as it actually is, that she knew her assets and not focus on her limitations, before our first shopping spree. The entire personality becomes self-evident, once the client understands her body proportions and Liz was quick to grasp the nuances.

There was still a lot to review. I gave Liz our Figure and Style Analysis Manual and we went through a final checklist including her best:
   •  fit and “hang” of garments
   •  collar styles
   •  sleeve styles
   •  shape of shoulders on a garment
   •  lengths for skirts, pants —even sleeves
   •  pocket styles

Well, you get the general idea. Comprehensive is an understatement!

And before we move on to our Colour Analysis session, next Tuesday, here’s what Liz had to say.

“During this session, Diane measured my body proportions to determine what styles of clothing work best with my body to achieve my desired image. She just didn’t tell me what to wear; she took the time to teach me WHY certain styles work best for me. Thankfully, Diane recorded this information in a style guide —I’d never be able to remember everything and it’s perfect to take with me when I go shopping. Thank you, Diane I’m looking forward to our next session on colour.”

Stay tuned!   (Note that you can now have our blog posts delivered to your Inbox by clicking on the Subscribe link on the right side of this page.)

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How Is Your Personal and Professional Image? 
Is your style congruent with your brand? Are you confused about what suits YOU best, how to manage trends, dress age appropriate?

Join me for my FREE, 55 minute pre-training class:  Style for Women Virtual 4-part course where I will share tips on how to create your own look of success!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 3:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Pacific

Register Now!

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