Put It Away
ORGANIZATION AT WORK OR HOME
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
Have you seen the movie, "Catch Me If You Can?" with Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio?
There is a part where:
Frank Abagnale Sr. : You know why the Yankees always win, Frank?
Frank Abagnale, Jr. : 'Cause they have Mickey Mantle?
Frank Abagnale Sr.: No, it's 'cause the other teams can't stop staring at those damn pinstripes.
This same line comes to play later on in the movie when Frank Jr. watches a James Bond movie, then has suits made identical to 007's and even buys an 007 car.
He was creating a role. The role of a successful, rich person. His previous role of pilot had a uniform, too. His roles of doctor and lawyer demanded certain clothing, speech, etiquette, and so on.
They were just roles for his scam, but the principle is true. People every day will judge each other by the way they are dressed.
What role do you play? Pick the role that you want. Do you want people to perceive you as a successful salesman/PR/HR/manager/employee? Dress that way now!
If you practice everyday being patient (because you want to be perceived as being patient) you WILL eventually develop the character trait of patience.
Just as if you dress successfully, speak successfully, are civil, and practice the etiquette and mannerisms of successful people...you will eventually become what you are working for and preparing to become.
Catch Me If You Can Full Movie Part 6
The clichéd phrase: Dress for success. Everyone has heard it, most people understand it, however, it is one of the least used tools by people. Every day, throughout many situations; first impressions are critical.
Remember, you are marketing a product -- yourself -- to each person you meet. The first thing an individual sees when meeting you is your appearance (clothing, hair, makeup, jewelry, teeth, and eyes). So you must make every effort to have the proper dress for the type of activity you are engaged in and for the type of message you want to send about yourself.
Will dressing properly get you the job/win a friend/get you success?
Of course not! But it WILL give you a competitive edge and a positive first impression.
Should you be judged by what you wear? Possibly not, but the reality is, of course you are judged.
When I was in sales, I dressed immaculately. I was always in a suit. With a skirt (as I realized I sold more when wearing a skirt...no comments on the psychology of that!).
conservative color.
clean and polished conservative dress shoes (closed toe)
well-groomed hairstyle
cleaned and trimmed fingernails (or conservative polish)
minimal cologne or perfume
no visible body piercing beyond conservative ear piercings for women
no visible tattoos
well-brushed teeth and fresh breath
no gum, candy, or other objects in your mouth
minimal jewelry
no body odor (believe me, no one really thinks that because you stink—it is a sign that you work hard)
no cleavage (that means in back, too!)
skirt length right at knee
Later, when I was a stay at home mom—yes, I am ashamed to say—I became Miss Frumpy.
What happened? I was deceived into thinking that I was too busy to worry or I made excuses about how the children were only going to barf on me or put their sticky fingers on me anyway...so why care?
I also think because I wasn’t in the business world anymore, I felt I did not need to dress professionally.
Inside my head though, which is really ironic. Is that I saw MYSELF as a professional STILL. I was a top notch mom who educated herself about nutrition and diet, medications and treatments when her 12 year old son almost died and was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. I home schooled my children and learned about curriculum, standards, testing and measurements, and about intelligence, learning styles, and teaching.
I gave birth to six of my children at home and learned about medical procedures, the history of birthing practices, anatomy, and nursing. I read books about parenting, marriage, relationships, finance, budgeting, contracts, law, etc.
When did I stop realizing that although, I knew I was an educated professional, how could anyone else possibly guess that when I was running around dressed as a frump?
Of course, over time, as individuals got to know me, they realized that...but isn’t it better if I can SHOW them that even when they are meeting me for the first time?
Let me tell you something else, too. When you are dressed as a professional—you are treated as a professional. I like that. I like going to a store and being acknowledged and treated with respect immediately.
In a perfect world, that shouldn’t happen, however it does...so why not send the message to the world that you are professional. You are friendly. You are caring and helpful, and then viola you are treated in those ways.
Try it!
Experiment!
For one week, dress professionally even when just going to the store or out. The next week, wear frumpy. See the difference.
How To Dress For a Job Interview
Watch this video for a demonstration of "How To Dress For a Job Interview". To complete the task, you will need:Tidy, neatly styled hairA clean face, hands, and fingernailsA clean, profession...