Boots so shiny you can see your reflection. Shirts ironed with enough
starch they practically hang on their own in the closet. Hair high and
tight, or pulled back into a tidy bun.
These are just some of the trappings that come with life in the
military. And trust me, there are a lot more where they come from.
Like all codes of conduct, they're designed to teach discipline. But as
I've learned as a civilian, and especially through my work as a
performance consultant, there's more to it than that.
Simply put: people who pay close attention to their appearance, looking
put together at all the times, have a huge leg up in all arenas, from
the work place to their personal relationships.
Sure, there are exceptions. Think of the hoodie-wearing Silicone Valley
exec or the Hollywood director in dungarees and dingy trainers — though
I might argue that those looks are also carefully crafted personas.
Whatever look you choose for yourself, the important thing is that you
nail it every time. This has nothing to do with vanity, materialism, or
even style sense.
Instead, it's about the very real fact that when you look your best, you're likely to perform the same way.
Transforming your outward appearance will change how you feel on the
inside. Think about first-day-of-school outfits or bridal gowns. Anytime
we put our best foot forward, our confidence is elevated and our mood
improves. You look good and you know it.
I believe you should strive for this state every day of the week, which
is why casual Friday makes my list of top scourges of the modern world.
I'm not a fashion-conscious guy (as my wife will attest), but I still
wear a suit every day to the office. Why? Because when I'm dressed that
way, it just doesn't feel right to slouch at my desk or waste time on
Facebook. The suit tells me it's time to work, that this is the reason
why I'm here.
Your office or workplace might not be a suit-and-tie culture, but it's
critical that you look put together every time you walk through the
door.
There are times when you need to step it up even higher. In my sessions
with clients, I talk a lot about optimal performance mode. This is the
mindset you need for life's toughest challenge- — say your first
presentation at a major conference or a televised appearance to talk
about a new business venture.
This is show time. You need to look the part. When a client is faced
with this situation, my advice is always the same: go buy something new
that you feel like a million bucks in.
It doesn't even have to be an entire outfit. A new shirt, sweater, or
shoes can be enough. There's just something about the feeling of brand
new clothes that gives a little extra bump needed to reach peak
performance.
Your audience will feel it, too, which is another important benefit of
looking sharp — especially in highly competitive settings.
Think about athletics. The team or individual that looks more polished,
with crisp uniforms and neat hair, will always psyche out the opponent
that looks ragged and worn. This mental advantage might be slight, but
it can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Now consider your place of work. Is there someone there who always
looks a cut above the rest? The next time you're in a meeting with her,
pay close attention to the group dynamic. I'll bet you a pair of socks
from Paul Stuart that all eyes are on her when she talks.
This will be true even if she isn't the most senior person in the room.
That's because she's adhering to the old adage, "Dress for the job you
want, not the one you have."
You should adhere to it as well, no matter where you are in your career.
So how do you do it? As I said, I'm not one to hand out fashion advice.
Instead, I encourage you to focus on the aspects of appearance that
reflect professionalism. Just like in the armed forces, grooming is key.
Clean fingernails, trimmed or brushed hair, spot- and wrinkle-free
clothing should all be part of the foundation of your look.
This might seem totally obvious, but in today's fast-paced world, too
many people gloss over these basic yet crucial details that give off an
impression of competence and control.
Another key element that's too often neglected is tailoring. I'm not
talking about handmade suits (although those are nice if you can afford
them). Just make sure your clothes fit!
It's better to wear less expensive pants that are the right size than
high-end ones you found on sale but have to stop breathing to get into.
In fact, many top stylists and personal shoppers say most clothing needs
some kind of tailoring to truly fit well.
So spend a little extra on bringing new purchases to a tailor to take
the pant-leg up or waist in. The investment will pay off in dividends.
It all goes back to the simple lessons of military rule. Your
appearance is a matter of personal pride as well as a sign of respect to
the people around you —whether you're a member of the corps or the
commander in charge.
Dress to kill from this day forward, and I guarantee you'll be the one calling the shots before too long.
Erik Bertrand Larssen is a performance consultant who energizes
people into successful careers and happier lives. After a career in the
military as a paratrooper, he worked in the telecom industry, moved into
headhunting and then started mental and career coaching. Holding a
Masters degree in business economics, Erik is the No. 1 mental trainer
in Norway with clients ranging from business executives at Fortune 500
companies to Olympic medalists. An international bestselling author with
books in 14 countries, Erik will have his first English-language book,
“Hell Week,” published by Simon & Schuster on June 14, 2016. An
Oslo, Norway, native and father of five, Erik splits his time between
his hometown and New York City.
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