If you have been following these articles and trying out some of the ideas, then by now the 'inside' you will be very different. You will have developed different beliefs about who you are and what you can achieve. You will have a vision of an amazing new life that you want to live and you will be taking action to achieve it. But what happens to all those high aspirations when you look in the mirror and see the same person – same hair, same clothes – looking back at you? If you are like me, I feel that I must be the same person that had the old beliefs and old life because I look the same. If you feel like this then it is time for yet more action!

When I watch makeover programmes, where people are shown how to dress to look great, get their hair and make-up changed and are totally transformed I have so many questions. By the end of the programme they are full of confidence and excitement, but what happens next? They look very different and for a while I am sure they feel very different, but what happens when they go back to their old life with their wonderful new look? I wonder how easy it is to keep up the new look on the outside when the 'old' you is still inside with all the old beliefs. Equally, if you have changed your inner beliefs about what is possible, with coaching, and your life is changing, how convinced will you be that you can achieve your goals if you see the same person in the mirror who felt they couldn't change and achieve?

So I believe the two go together. I believe that as you change your inner beliefs, so your outer image should change to reflect the new you that is emerging. It makes sense to me, what do you think?
So the reinvention game is important. Research the clothes worn by people you aspire to.
What do they wear when they are working?
What do they wear when they are at leisure?
What do they wear on special occasions?
Do you like these clothes – and more importantly, do they like you? (More on this topic later.)
Whether you adore the look or not, never ever clone their style. Play with it and put your signature on it. Only then will you feel comfortable with it. Carolyn Gustafson, an image consultant from New York has said,
"In order to feel good about how we look, we must feel that
we look like who we are."
This is the whole point of the exercise – these changes, both internal and external, have to make your life better and work for you. There is no point in trying to be a copy of someone else – your job is to be the very best version of you that you can be, your own unique creation.

One of the quickest ways to achieve a new look is to work out which colours suit you best. It is a fact that some colours lift us and make us look great, while other colours drain us and make us look quite ill. A few years ago I decided to try to find my best colours, after reading about it in a book. I gathered all my clothes together and took them to the biggest mirror in the house. Then I draped or put on each colour in turn to establish which I looked best in - which colours made me look radiantly healthy and which colours made me look ill? That was my quest. I spent hours swapping and changing and I really couldn't see any difference. I looked the same in everything – and that definitely wasn't a good thing. I concluded that either it didn't work or the differences were so subtle that I couldn't see them.

I wasn't satisfied with my conclusions, so I booked a colour analysis session with a professional. It wasn't cheap, but it was well worth every penny. I discovered that the reason I couldn't see any difference when I tried it at home was that none of my clothes were in my colour palette – I looked equally awful in all of them! I had spent my life – not unreasonably – buying clothes in colours I like. I now know that I need to buy clothes in colours that like me! The difference in my look between a colour in my palette and a colour that is not is definitely not subtle, it is astounding. Just by draping different colours across my front I went from looking ill to radiant in seconds. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.
It has meant a complete rethinking of my colours and what I buy. I am still drawn to the old colours, but now I only buy colours that like me. Handy tip – don't throw out all of your clothes if they are the wrong colour – buy t-shirts, tops, scarves and necklaces to lift less flattering colours until you can change them. If you really can't bring yourself to do without a favourite colour you can still wear it – buy a bag or shoes or use that colour for trousers, skirts or a design on the hemline.

Some time ago I was talking to a colleague who told me that her husband, when dressed in a smart suit, shirt and tie, always looked crumpled and in need of a shave. They really couldn't understand it, so he had a colour analysis. The moment he changed to wearing colours in his palette he looked smart and clean shaven. It was a startling change. So do try it – it really is money well spent.

Next, look at the style of clothes that you wear. Do they really help to make you look your best? I have to admit to being a bit of a hippy inside – I love the relaxed, flowing, loose styles and occasionally I have given in and bought them. They look great on other people and I love the look of them on the hangers, but really, on me they just don't work. I look a saggy, baggy mess and so I feel a saggy, baggy mess. I don't like feeling like this. I suit sharper, more tailored styles that fit well. So again, I now buy styles that like me. It works.

Next look at your hair. No, really look.
Is it in good condition?
Does the cut and colour still suit you?
It is so easy to find a style and stay with it for years, even though it may no longer be flattering (if indeed it ever was!) I love long hair and grew my hair long as a teenager. Over the years I have discovered that long hair doesn't flatter me (I look like an old witch!) So my hair is always short now. An idea could be to make an appointment with a top salon and ask for a top stylist to advise you on the most flattering style and colour for your face shape and skin tone. Have the cut and colour they suggest at that salon. It will cost a lot, but after that you can go back to your usual hairdresser and re-create it there for a fraction of the cost. It is worth paying for top expertise and advice.

Can you visualise a new you emerging? Great. My last idea (which may possible appeal to more female readers than male) is to have a make – up consultation at a make – up counter. They are often free. If you like the new look then you can update your make up as you can afford. If you are really not happy, try another counter. You are looking for something that complements your overall new look and makes you feel great!

Occasionally there may be days when your resolve weakens and you wonder whether it is really worth the effort and expense. On these occasions, ask yourself these questions:
What will happen to you and your life if you do it?
What won't happen to you and your life if you do it?
What will happen to you and your life if you don't do it?
What won't happen to you and your life if you don't do it?

And if you are still putting off taking action I have only one question left,

What's stopping you?

Very soon you will be looking and feeling like a new person. The WOW you get when you look in the mirror will be because you really are a completely different person. You have set free the wonderful, authentic you that has always been inside waiting for this moment.

Enjoy the feeling and enjoy your new life!


Sue Courtney is a Personal Success Coach and Image Consultant. She can be contacted by email at sue@successandimagecoach.co.uk