A PERFECT WORLD
In a perfect world everyone would recognize you for the special person you are….and you are! Your inner depth, your special skills, your unique views on life, the universe and everything. In reality though, people will judge you on how you look. The first impression people will have of you is what they see. When they get to know you, they may or may not recognize your special place in the universe, but first you have to get past the first impression you give people. Yes you do have some control over how people perceive you.
SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES - Make the Smart choice
In the world of business it would be professional suicide to underestimate the power of the impression you make to those new business associates. Dress for success as the saying goes. This rule also applies to any social setting where you will be interacting with people you have never met before. Think of it – How can you expect people to transcend the visual and peer into your soul and see beyond the obvious? Do you have that power? Aside from the super heros we all want to be , nobody really possesses those special gifts. Give people a helping hand when they are trying to work you out. In fact you can control what people first think of you by making some smart choices.
DRESSING FOR SUCCESS – The First Rule
Your first choice in making a good impression is what to wear. Sounds obvious, but so many of us worry about everything all at once and end up neglecting the first thing people notice about us – What we’re wearing – How we’re wearing it. Let’s concentrate on the impression you want to make. Before we get started, one rule we want to make at the outset is this – Less is More. We cannot emphasize this rule enough. What usually happens when you’re trying to make a good impression is that you end up trying too hard, and we all know what we think of those who try too hard. Credibility is the first thing you lose and all your efforts to make a good impression have the exact opposite affect. It is also worth mentioning that making no impression at all in your first try is better than making a bad one and then spending all of your time trying to live it down. Think of a time when you totally screwed up and those who were present always bring it up every time they see you. It is permanently etched in their minds and living it down is almost impossible. So the rule is – Softly ,Softly….Slowly, Slowly. You’ll get there in the end and you will arrive in style.
A MAN AND HIS TIE –
When it comes to men’s fashion and the impression we want to make by what we wear, there is nothing more important than necktie choice. Sure you can wear the Armani suit and the Dolce Shoes, but after a very short time, those necessary things blend into the background and when we’re talking face to face, the tie is what we are constantly focused on during conversation ( aside from a person’s face ), and so it is the most important piece of clothing a man can wear. It walks into the room before he does. It tells a story from across the room when the other articles of clothing barely get a whisper. It tells people if you are approachable or if you are a man of mystery. It chooses the topic of conversation when first you meet. People will start a serious conversation or a funny conversation depending on the message you have sent them with your tie choice. It holds power because it communicates from a distance and gives people time to formulate their approach. Don’t doubt the power of your first impression and the role that the necktie plays in it.
CHANGE IS GOOD – Try Something Different
Are you known as a casual dresser that has a disdain for formality and high fashion. Then test this theory out. Next time you are invited out where you know it is appropriate to dress up and you know others will be doing the same, change your look completely. Remember the first rule – Less is More. Just make modest choices for your first attempt. Stay within the monochrome black/charcoal range in colors but add just a small splash of color in your tie that is outside of the monochrome color range. It can be a bright color, but small in proportion to the rest of the tie’s color ( specs of color, not chunks ) You will notice a huge difference in how others treat you and perceive you. Don’t make excuses for the new look. Embrace it. Own it. You may just make it a permanent change.
This is one in a a series of articles on the virtues of dressing well. Written and presented by Gentlemanjoe.com
