DRESS FOR SUCCESS: Be yourself, build integrity, be influential

How we dress is often a reflection of who we are.  In fact, I imagine that 99.9% of us aim to dress to our personality.  What if I said that with a little inspiration, you will continue to dress to your personality and have the way you dress be a reflection of your integrity and your position in the environments you live?  It doesn’t take a significant amount of effort. Once you are pointed in the right direction, it will come to you easily.  And, you will find that you will continue to dress the way you want to, which only makes your more influential.

Rosie the Riveter strategically dressed - has integrity, dressed for position, influential

My story – once lost, now found

For most of my life, I felt very protective of my individuality.  I use the word protective because I felt pressure from the outside world to be something other than myself.  It was likely the result of my ~2o years of schooling where I had to do things that were out of phase with my interests.   The way I dressed expressed my subtle rebellion.  Eventually, I committed to the fact that I am awesome (we all are) and I might as well grab life by the horns and live life to the fullest.

Individuality is great, but without respect, it is lonely

With a little guidance, you can accelerate living life to the fullest (there is no reason to be gradual).  The fastest way to do anything is when others give you free rein.   How do you get free rain?  When others believe you are the right person to do what you want to do.  How is this achieved?  Being obsessed with what you want to do is one part; the other part is presenting yourself as the right person.

Your source of inspiration

The best way to dress is to first see how people in your desired role dress then imagine how Hollywood (and TV) would dress them.  This is because in most Hollywood films, the characters are typically superhuman in their roles.  Developing your imagination in this area takes some time but since you are developing in other ways, there is a good chance everything will be in phase.  Aim high.

Here are examples that exist in my mind:

• creative people wear black or something distinctive though relevant to the role and not too outrageous to turn off clients
• professionals wear dark suits
• IT professionals dress in casual clothes that have a bit of an edge to them
• Salespersons dress somewhere between professionals and creative, often without ties

What ever you dress, you have to look your part for your own confidence and for others to have confidence in you.  Dress like you mean it.

Thinking "I am awesome"

Also read

• What is “maturity” anyway? How do you get the respect your deserve? (another way to get respect)
• Have an entrepreneurial spirit, even when working for someone else (a way to get free rein)

“We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.”  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“‘Style’ is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma. Fashion is something that comes after style.” John Fairchild

“What a strange power there is in clothing.” Isaac Bashevis

“Enjoy life. This is not a dress rehearsal.” Anonymous

“Good clothes open all doors.” Thomas Fuller

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Herman Cain

Related posts:

1. What is “maturity” anyway? How do you get the respect you deserve?
2. Elevator pitches are your foot in the door
3. New job? Consider this career development plan
4. Goals and ambitions – how they are more than a statement