PG 31

STAY POSITIVE AND NEVER GIVE UP

BY FERIAL YOUAKIM, AICI CIM

MORE THAN ANYTHING, MY GOAL IS TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE. IT IS THE ONLY WAY THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO INFLUENCE OTHERS TO FOLLOW MY FOOTSTEPS IN HOPE THAT THEY, TOO, WILL REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. IF THIS WOMAN CAN DO IT SO CAN YOU! I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT. STAY POSITIVE & NEVER GIVE UP.

Stay positive and never give up. I have been saying this to myself again and again lately because sometimes I still cannot believe it is I, Ferial Youakim, who have achieved all these great titles and objectives.

I honestly sometimes have to pinch myself whenever I achieve and nurture success in my image consultancy business, ByFERIAL, such as… when I became an author with the publishing of my first book about my life journey from being a young child to the entrepreneur I am today… when the esteemed Mrs., Ms., and Miss Teen Australia International pageant series was established to empower women, of which I am remarkably the National Director… when I was awarded Ambassador status on the United Nations’ #DignityisPriceless campaign, organized under the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Division… and when most recently, I earned my AICI Certified Image Master (CIM). Imogen became the name associated with innovation in the image consulting industry.

32 | January 2020 magazine Those of you who follow my journey know a lot about my goals, challenges, and setbacks. Not many of you, however, know about the roadblocks I faced in my quest to becoming a Certified Image Master (CIM). Since I encourage everyone to be honest with themselves about the choices they have made and the results they have garnered, I am ready to admit that I tried multiple times to become an AICI Certified Image Master and failed.

My biggest failure was the self-talk I allowed myself to do — telling myself I was not smart enough or good enough to do it. I gave up for five years without looking back, and it was one of the worst choices I have ever made.

Years after I had given up on my goal, I realized that I told people to chase their dreams no matter the cost. I told them that giving up was never an option, and I was forced to look at myself. I realized that I was not living up to my own words. That was when I decided to try again and pick up

where I left off. I had to do it. I had to start all over again. I managed to put my CIM portfolio together for the fourth time. Although my English was not perfect, I gave it my best effort and resolved to succeed no matter the cost.

Becoming a CIM requires a lot of motivation and determination, and you are the ones who have inspired me to reach the next level and finally become a CIM. My fans, followers, and AICI members inspire me the same way I inspire them, and we all achieve much more when we support each other.

"MY BIGGEST FAILURE WAS THE SELF-TALK I ALLOWED MYSELF TO DO — TELLING MYSELF I WAS NOT SMART ENOUGH OR GOOD ENOUGH TO DO IT. I GAVE UP FOR FIVE YEARS WITHOUT LOOKING BACK, AND IT WAS ONE OF THE WORST CHOICES I HAVE EVER MADE."

Consider your dreams and goals and decide what it takes for you to reach them. The steps you take today to become a CIC, CIP, or CIM will create your future in more ways than you think. It is a must to build your business, brand, and credibility. My decision to give up shows that nobody is immune to the stress and issues of life, but you never know when and where inspiration will strike.

More than anything, my goal is to lead by example. It is the only way that I will be able to influence others to follow my footsteps in hope that they, too, will reach their full potential. If this woman can do it so can you! I know you can do it.

STAY POSITIVE & NEVER GIVE UP.

FERIAL YOUAKIM, AICI CIP is the founder and director of ByFERIAL Image Consulting Firm (www.imageconsultantstraining.com) and is the creator of the renowned 4x4 color system. Ferial is also the President of AICI International.