The real 'Sign "of your "nature"
Author: Malcolm McLeod (Australia)

Sign your way to greatness!

Did you know that the scribble you casually slap on a letter, cheque or credit card docket can give insights to your personality? And did you know that your handwriting can tell a different story about the real you?

Your signature — or sign of your nature — represents you to the world. But does it represent you at your best? Your signature is like your own corporate logo. How upset would McDonald’s, Sony, IBM, Mercedes Benz be if their corporate logo was misrepresented?

To be successful, you must show the world the best you. These tips will help start or intensify the success fire in your belly. They’re simple to implement, and with daily repetition and persistence, you’ll build an unstoppable momentum. And change can start right here with a flick of your pen.

Why this works
If you developed your signature as a teenager and it’s still the same, ask yourself "Is my signature still a reflection of how I see myself and how I want to seen by the world?"

Let’s put it this way. Your signature is how you present yourself to others. On the other hand, your handwriting shows what you’re really like. If there’s inconsistency between your signature and handwriting, there’s a gap between how others see you and what you’re really like. High achievers often write their signature with a forward slope, which means they’re warm, caring and outgoing. But their handwriting slopes straight up and down, which means they can be quite the opposite.

A great catalyst for a positive personal shake-up is to change your signature. Ask yourself this question: 'What does my signature look like that reflects who I am now, and even more important, the person I want to grow into?" Once you find the right signature, it’s a question of really owning it. That means changing your driver’s licence, credit cards and passport! The more determined you are about owning your new signature, the better your self-esteem.

Many people from my seminars from years gone by have told me that changing their signature was their “line in the sand” moment, when they really thought about who they’ve been, are now and will become in the future. You can let this information flow over you or you can seize it, step over your own line in the sand, and sign up for a magnificent life.

Let the message sink in People say once they’ve been to my seminars they can’t look at a signature or handwriting without thinking what a twisted, sick puppy they’re dealing with, or what a balanced, poised, disciplined person they have the honour to be mixing with.

When I run a full length “Improve yourself, improve the world” seminar/workshop, 40 per cent of attendees use the information and move forward. With the fun, after-dinner shortened session, the emphasis is on having a laugh. About 30 per cent are inspired to grab some fuel for improvement from the session. It can be a tough cynical world and I’d love you to be part of that 30 per cent and grab this information right now… Get a pen, some paper and check out, with a new awareness, how your signature looks. Implement the tips below. You’ll see that when these exercises are done with enthusiasm and supporting actions, they become visible affirmations designed to fire up your life, where you are an unstoppable, positive maniac on a mission!

Your new inspirational signature
Create and adopt a full name signature that is readable and consistent with the rest of your writing. When I do a seminar I display three different signature styles:
1) The scribbled signature
This signature reflects a person with a fast mind. Their hand can’t keep up with their brain, hence the scrawled autograph. Ever tried reading a doctor’s handwriting? A quick signature belongs to a person who doesn’t live in the “NOW”. It also displays a form of arrogance. The message is “my time is more important than yours so work out yourself what I’m trying to say!”

2) The first initial and surname signature.
These people tend to sit on the fence emotionally and only give a tease of what they’re about. Interesting characters are the ones who put a full stop between their surname and christian name, thus creating a subtle barrier between them and their family. They live a Jekyll’n’Hyde existence. At home, they’re a loving, caring brother, mother father or sister but take them on a conference away from the family and they are party animals waiting to run amok! Nice people though.

3) The full legible name signature. Our heroes! These people are willing to share their world (if their signature is like the rest of their handwriting). Even if they have a long name, they sign both their christian and surname. Every time their signature is a work of art, honouring themselves, their families and showing respect to those reading it. Non verbally this sends a message “You can trust me”

For the last 15 years I’ve been asking this question to audiences at seminars both in Australia and overseas: When you look at someone’s signature, what style do you relate most warmly to, the scribbled, initialled or full name signature.? 90 per cent answer that they relate most warmly to the full name signature.

Yes, the full legible name as opposed to the arrogant "my time is more important than yours" scribbled signature or the "sit on the fence and not give too much away" initial and surname autograph. A full name signature is written by someone with nothing to hide, someone you can trust — a leader. Every time you sign your name, you say to yourself and the rest of the world “This is me, this is who I am”.

HOW TO BOOST YOUR SELF BELIEF AND ENERGY EVERY TIME YOU SIGN YOUR NAME. Remember when you were at school and the teacher would say "This is important. UNDERLINE IT!" Underlining helps bullet-proof you against the dark, sad, energy-sapping clowns who try to drain you, drag you down and deny you, your family and the world from having you at your most magnificent best! (Make sure you don’t cross through your signature and keep the full stop off!) The world needs more people who take time to sign their full name signature. If you take time to do that, I know you’re going to take time to look after me if I deal with you in business. I know you’re not the "sign here, press hard for the three copies and thanks for your money, punter" kind of person.

Only three weeks
Remember "change is easy...it’s just a whole lot easier not to change" It takes three weeks to form and own a habit. Think hard about your signature and develop one that reflects who you are now or who you’d like to become. If you want to make the time you’ve spent reading this pay, then get off the porch! Hit your credit card administrator and tell them you’ve changed your signature! (They’re getting used to people doing this after my seminars!)

By doing this, you tell yourself and the world that you want, deserve and WILL have more quality in your life! Sign now for a better life. The pen, my friends, is in your hand. Anything started immediately is already half done. Go forward, get on the front foot, and good luck.

Malcolm McLeod "The handwriting guy" www.activitiesteam.com








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Malcolm McLeod of the “Activities Team” is a nice guy on a mission. He positively aggravates, inspires and leads individuals, companies and communities into creating fantastic experiences and results using a combination of keynote speeches, action planning workshops and fun outdoor teambuilding games For more information go to www.activitiesteam.com e-mail info@activities-team.com.au

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