Personal image plays a crucial role in shaping how others perceive us and can significantly influence our opportunities, relationships, and overall success in both personal and professional spheres.
The importance of our image and the impression we make on others can hardly be overestimated; sometimes, it’s more significant than we can imagine. A person’s image can even act independently and sometimes more successfully than the individual themselves. Therefore, it is crucial to construct and create a relevant image by using various image-making techniques, such as communication skills, self-presentation, voice control, personal charisma development, fashion, and style.
We will start with one important image-making technique: the projective technique. To understand its essence, we will refer to the ideas of Alfred Adler, a prominent Austrian psychologist who studied the social nature of humans. He stated that individuals, being part of society, constantly compare themselves with others. Everything we do is viewed through the eyes of others, and we value their opinions about us, often adjusting our behavior to appear more favorable. Furthermore, we are often driven to achieve perfection and set new goals, leading to continuous self-improvement and personality development.
To begin the process of image-making, it’s advisable to understand the individual’s core style. Reflecting on one’s childhood can be helpful—considering early memories or favorite fairy tales can provide insight.
The essence of projective techniques is to restore a person’s self-perception, including their weaknesses, fears, and worries, and then to address or harmonize these aspects with their current lifestyle and goals. Our favorite fairy tales can reveal much about our character, inner desires, and traits that need to be emphasized and further developed. A simple test can also be insightful: imagine being an inanimate object in a shop. What would you be? Would it be an expensive item, a functional one, or something useful or beautiful? Who would be the customer? Analyze your answers based on the following criteria:
- Is the item intended for men, women, or both? This can indicate the type of identity: feminine, masculine, or mixed.
- What are the characteristics of the item? Aesthetic, psychological, and functional features, such as “beautiful” or “useful,” can reveal what you aspire to be.
- What color is the item? The color can reflect your psycho-physiological state.
- What is the environment for the item? Where is it used? This will indicate status, societal perception, and the context for realizing the person’s potential.
This simple task can help individuals better understand themselves—whether they see themselves as unique, prestigious, or valuable items, or as something useful and functional. It can reveal if they feel deserving of adoration or merely serving a decorative purpose. The perceived value of this imaginative item may correlate with the person’s self-esteem. Additionally, who is the buyer of the item? The answer can help interpret the individual’s ideal partner.
Thus, the projective technique can assist in understanding personal traits and character, identifying weaknesses and issues that influence an individual’s psycho-physiological state and appearance, which may need correction. Even the best-constructed image will not resonate if the person has not discovered their inner character, desires, and any issues that may conflict with their new image.
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