Dress For Success
92. Dress for success.
Clothing does not make the man or woman, but it sure does help a lot. Think about the times you knew you looked good and how it changed your confidence. You acted a little different, you moved through the room a little different and people noticed it. Some would say when you are looking and feeling good, you are in the zone. This can go for the work environment or a social one. This all comes back to the same things that we have been discussing throughout this entire book. Developing strategies to help us reach goals and reprogramming that space between your ears to work for you and not against you.
Keep in mind I am not talking about Tool 12 on making first impressions, which is more geared towards forming impressions upon other people and has more to do with just your clothing decisions. With Tool 92 we are talking about the perception you have about yourself. Admit it, when you look in the mirror and like your outfit you say to yourself (or maybe out loud), “I’m looking good.” Does this ring a bell? Doesn’t this sound like a positive affirmation? If you had any doubts about how affirmations work, this may strengthen those beliefs a little. This can go for all types of clothes from jeans to a tux. So if you are in sweats and a T-shirt most of the time, you will probably feel like what sweats and a T-shirt provide; comfort but not a lot of confidence.
There is a catch to this Tool. If you are out of shape, it is difficult to make certain outfits look good. No problem, right? We have that covered in our S.A.N.E. system. The best way to start using this Tool is to try to find outfits you have that you like and that make you feel confident, and to get out of the clothes that are simply used to “get through the day.” We are no longer just getting through days; we are building success each day. So you have to show up to the construction site in your work boots, not your underwear.
There is another way to give this Tool some bite. You are going to love this one. Go to the mall and buy some new outfits or even better go for a completely new look. The best way to spark a sluggish mind is to change its routine (Tool 102). So by trying a new image you accomplish that. What can also make this fun and rewarding is to tie it to a benchmark. When you hit a target weight, go and reward yourself by purchasing some new clothes. If you suffer from having too many clothes and risk getting yelled at or in debt, I tell people when they buy new stuff, something comes out of the closet to make room. Even better, you donate it.
If you know you are going to have to lose some outfits to get new ones, it makes you think twice if you really want to buy it. One thing I like to do is buy a new shirt for the weekend to go out in. Not very expensive and it makes me feel good about the night to come. So try this out if you need a boost of confidence or just to shake things up a bit. When we are looking good, we feel it and act on it; and when we’re in a better place, the world around us reflects that.