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Welcome to the world of the Gorgeous!

From this moment on, you have a seat reserved in the VIP area of life. Start living beautifully. After all, you deserve it, don’t you?

Relax.

You’ve seen my photo. At 5ft 2in and 10 stone, I am no supermodel, wouldn’t want to be. But what I am, and can teach you to become, is someone who has learnt to love, respect and make the best of the way I look.

Stick with me, and in the next 6 weeks, your confidence will grow beyond belief, just as your individual beauty will open and blossom. What we’ll be doing together is special. Usually, when we decide to make changes in our lives, we take one of two paths:

• Changing on the inside (how we feel)
• Changing on the outside (how we look)

With this course, you get the best of both worlds. Every week, I will be cultivating your self-esteem, whilst taking you through practical steps to take control and improve your appearance. We’re talking about feeling good about how you look NOW. Not two decades – or dress sizes – ago.

“Vain trifles as they seem, clothes change our view of the world, and the world’s view of us.”
Virginia Woolf

Right now, I want you to set aside any notions you may have that caring about your appearance is shallow. It matters. A lot.

The level of self care we exercise directly reflects how we value ourselves as human beings. You are here to fulfil your potential, body mind and soul. This is a vital piece of the jigsaw. By embarking on this journey of transformation, you will be changing your looks, but also changing every area of your life. NOW is the perfect time to start.

Have you seen Esther Ranzen lately? Just how gorgeous has she become? Widowed several years ago, Esther realised the time was finally right to move on. The BBC date coaching show “Would like to meet” acted as a catalyst. Esther has made phenomenal changes, many centred on her looks. She has loosened up, started to have fun again. She looks softer, warmer, more sexy. She’s enjoying her body for the first time in years. Asked why she decided to embark on the journey, she replied:

“I had absolutely nothing to lose. I have everything to gain.”
Esther Ranzen

Make this your mindset, too. Commit NOW to giving this course the time, thought and effort it deserves. Then get ready for the compliments to roll in.

Before we get going, I want you to go and find yourself a journal –A4 size is good. Take some time and choose this with care: a colour you love, a texture that pleases you.

This journal will be your constant companion throughout the course. Use it to record all your thoughts, and also as a scrapbook to keep together your clippings and inspirations.

What is Gorgeous?

So what is so special about being gorgeous? Isn’t it all a bit shallow? Surely only the beautiful people deserve this title?

Not at all. Gorgeous isn’t just about looks. It’s a state of mind. It’s how we feel, communicate and behave. A way of life, really.

Task: In your journal, write down your own definition of gorgeous. Think back on your reasons for joining this course. How does it feel to you?

Got your definition? How does yours compare to these below, from clients on a recent workshop?

• “It’s that extra sparkle you get from knowing you are on top form.”
• “How I felt after giving birth to my daughter”
• “Knowing I could still get a date if I wanted to”
   

Everyone has their own personal gorgeous. Let’s spend a little more time exploring yours now.

Task: For this exercise, I want you to I want you to close your eyes, and focus on your senses. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What colour is your gorgeous?
• How does it smell?
• What does it feel like to touch?
• How does it taste?
• Is there a sound you associate?

Note your conclusions in your journal.

For your information, mine is a raspberry coloured, patchouli scented furry, mango flavoured Nina Simone song - each to his own!

Start making a conscious effort to include a little of your gorgeous into your everyday life. Not only will this help you to become a more beautiful person, but in so doing, you will be enhancing the lives of those around you. Spread a little gorgeousness, why don’t you? More on this later…

Incidentally, I’d love to hear your definitions. Please feel free to email me.

It’s all about you

It’s high time we focused on you. I want you to take a good look at yourself, physically and metaphorically.

Task: You will need a mirror for this. Full length if possible.

Ask yourself, in what ways are you already gorgeous, just as you are?

Look in the mirror and write down at least 5 things you like about your appearance. I want you to keep going until you have 5. Lots of people find this hard, but please bear with me and work through this.

Now move away from the mirror and write down 5 things about your personality which are already gorgeous. Here are a few examples to get you on the right track:

• “I am a really good cook….that’s gorgeous to me!”
• “I know people love my sense of humour.”
• “My kids love to come and snuggle up with me. They say I’m lovely and soft to touch.”

When clients come for an image consultation, I am always struck by the number of physical faults they point out to me. Very rarely does anybody freely admit they have a feature they actually like!

People of all shapes, sizes and walks of life seem stuck in a negative body image, which is holding them back from achieving their ideal life.

By doing this exercise, and others like it, you will be making a positive shift in the way you see your body. Being gorgeous is about looking in the mirror and accepting and approving of what you see. Sure, there are many physical changes we can make, but here, the journey starts from within.

That’s why I’ve asked you to think about your personality, too. Very rarely do we assess real people’s attractiveness merely on their looks. Their charm, warmth, their X factor plays a huge part. You have all this within you.

Make this exercise for your eyes only. Tell the truth.

Congratulations. We are well on our way.

Task: The next step is to identify in what ways you would like to become more gorgeous.

Again, some points should be physical, others more general. I guarantee you will find this easier than the last exercise. Let’s have another 10 points, please.

Your findings here will form the basis of your Image Action Plan. Present them attractively on the inner cover of your journal. Refer to them regularly

Finding your style

“Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world”
Bette Midler

Now we need to do some work on the clothes you wear. Through our appearance, we are sending the world a potent message of how we view ourselves, and how we expect to be treated. So it’s vital to spend some time developing a style you are truly comfortable with. Think of the added confidence you will gain.

Let me just explode a myth here: Style is not something you are born with. It is not solely available to the rich, young and beautiful. Like any other skill, style can be developed and improved. All it takes is thought, practise, and a dedicated coach.

Luckily, you have all three.

Style in the City

A modern embodiment of style is Sarah Jessica Parker. Her quirky, effortless brand of chic has been an inspiration to women the world over.

But take a closer look at this gorgeous being. With her long face and prominent nose, SJP is the first to admit she is not classically beautiful. What people find so attractive is her exuberance and individuality. She enjoys her looks, and radiates charm and vitality. But look at photos of SJP pre Sex and the City, and it becomes apparent that her current style is something she has worked hard to develop.

She has blossomed, like one of her trademark corsages.

What I’m saying is this: We all have a unique, personal style. Over the next 6 weeks, we will identify and cultivate yours. Like a butterfly, cocooned for too long in layers of practicality, convenience and making-do, the authentic, gorgeous you is waiting to emerge. In many ways, you have the edge over the butterfly: you get to CHOOSE, and CHANGE, your own individual markings.

Task: In your journal, answer the question:
How would you choose to dress if you had no limitations?

Instead of putting up with a look that is less than you deserve, be creative and start finding ways to achieve that look NOW.

Let’s get one thing straight here: I’m not talking about logos and designer gear. Style has nothing to do with money. I don’t care whether the outfit’s from Dior or Dr Barnardo’s. If it looks good and feels right, that’s what matters. Neither do I suggest you follow fashion:

“Fashion fades, only style remains the same.”
Coco Chanel

You are an informed, sophisticated individual. That’s why you are here. Slavish following of unflattering fashion fads is not for you. Who wants to look like every other High Street clone? You have something much more special. We’re talking pure, one of a kind style, and clothes that accentuate your positives.

NB: This is an extract from Module 1 of Image Coach Emma Ford's new 6-week online course, "Be Gorgeous." To view more about this course, click here.