The first thing people see is your image, and they make a judgment call about you. First impressions are lasting ones, and you want your first one to send the message that you’re confident and capable—a leader. Be the best dressed at every event, all the time. People notice it. If you start dressing more professionally, I know with100 percent certainty that you’ll be treated differently automatically, and you will notice it instantly.
If you want to be what you’ve always been, then do what you’ve always done. But if you want to change, you need to change your life totally. You need to carry yourself in a way so the minute you walk in the door, people will say, “Wow, that person is serious.” It communicates power, authority, trust, likability, and confidence. Once you’ve made that choice, and you dress the best way you possibly can, you don’t need to be embarrassed when you go to work the next Monday. If people say, “Wow, what happened to you?” You can stand up straight and be proud you’re making a change.
Your image is reflected in your choice of:
- Body art, tattoos, or piercing. These communicate a stereotype that you have to overcome. It just puts you that much further behind so you have to fight to get some validation. It’s okay if you want to, but it’s tough enough out there, and the business owner has to try to sell you. In the music industry and the arts, that’s a totally different ballgame. If you’re trying to be successful in the corporate world, and you want to make the most amount of money with the least amount of effort, and you want to be able to be healthy and happy, and you want a sense of accomplishment, you need to think about everything you’re doing.
- Clothing. Take pride in how you look. It does not have to be expensive, just professional.
- Hair. Always be properly groomed.
- Hygiene. Good personal cleanliness goes further than you might expect.
- Smoking. Smoking does not present a good image.
Building your self-image will dramatically improve the impression people have of you and your organization. It’s worth the effort to concentrate on this area of development. Remember: first you build, and then you must maintain. The task is never finished.
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