Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is
more important than any other.
Abraham Lincoln
How you look matters. No, its not fair, but it is true. So, how can you make use of this information?
Look at the people around you. Take a look at your closest associates, friends and family members. Who in you group do you lokk at and think,”They look suuceessful,” or “They look like they have it all to gether all the time.” Does any one of them “look” more successful than the others? In what way do you think their appearance projects success to everyone around them? An important aspect of portraying success is your image. Your image is compiled of your personal appearance, how you behave, and your attitudes. If you want to project success to others, here’s a little help.
Your Physical Body
Take an honest and thorough look at yourself. If you were to see someone whose looked like your, would you see them as successful? Survey these aspects:
1. Your hair. Maintain neat and clean hair. Regular, consistent haircuts and colorings (if you use them) contribute to looking your best. And, no, I am not saying that you need to wear a particular hairstyle, unless its mandated by work. How you wear your hair is an improtant part of your self-expression. I’m just saying that you should take care of it.
2. Overall upkeep of your body. Whether you’re a woman or a man, do you keep nails and cuticles looking healthy and taken care of? Do you apply lotion to banish skin dryness? Taking time for the final touches contributes to your confidence and a successful look.
What changes should you consider making, if any?
Your Behavior
Evaluating your own behavior is a very difficult task. Pay attention to how you act around others-your family members, friends, and co-workers.
1. Overall, how you conduct yourself is the key. Although the meaning of the words, “lady” and “gentleman” has changed drastically over the years, think about how people might view you. If you had to honestly sum up your behavior in one word, what would that word be? Courteous? Rude? Helpful? Mouthy? Funny? Intelligent? Arrogant? Introspective? Smart?
2. Do you express yourself well, verbally? Do you speak with articulation and use proper speech and grammar? How you express yourself can make or break an interview or your image.
3. Do you display good listening skills? A successful person is more keenly focused on listening to what others have to say, rather than trying to do all the talking. The ability to listen is important for those who strive to appear, and be, successful.
4. Stay focused. Make it a point to take care of business. If you use efficiency in your personal and professional lives, you’ll stand a better chance of looking the part of a successful individual.
5. Keep things around you neat and relatively organized. When you can quickly retrieve what you’re looking for and live in a well-taken-care-of home and office, you can get things done more quickly and efficiently. Being neat and organized is often an important aspect.
When it comes to looking successful, your behavioral patterns matters. The manner in which you conduct yourself illustrates your true level of success.
Your Attitude
Finally, your approach to life. Your attitude is an integral part of appearing, and being, successful.
1. Do you think positively? A successful person is compelled to keep move forward in life. Thinking positively makes this possible.
2. Use tact and diplomacy. Make it a goal to use a business-like attitude when approaching others. You’ll accomplish far more this way.
3. Show care and concern toward others. The attitude you portray toward others will contribute to your own success. Treating others as equals and being concerned about them can even draw others to you.
Your attitude is important to appearing successful. Thinking positively, using tact and diplomacy and demonstrating care for others are elements to possess when you’re striving for success.
If you want to be successful, you can get a head start by orking on looking the part. Take care of your body, carefully consider your behavior, and keep positive attitudes. A few tweaks and you will not only look successful, but you will be successful as well, especially in your own eyes.
Thoughts?
photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23912576@N05/2962194797/sizes/z/in/photostream/
