In order to achieve success your attitude and your state of mind are extremely important.
If you don’t believe you will succeed you increase the probability of failure.
‘Our limitations and success will be based, most often, on your own expectations for ourselves. What the mind dwells upon, the body acts upon.’ Denis Waitley
As soon as doubts start to creep into our thoughts the focus is not so sharp, willpower becomes diluted.
The way you dress can also influence how you think.
The Journal of Experimental Social Psychology (July 2012) talked about a study on the influence that clothes have on the wearer’s psychological processes. According to them there are two factors at play – the symbolic meaning of the clothes and the physical experience of wearing them.
Lab coats are generally associated with attentiveness and carefulness. Experiments showed that subjects wearing a lab coat increased selective attention compared to those not wearing a lab coat.
Another study that observed behavior at a roller rink showed that on strict dress code nights there were fewer accidents and less noise…
So clothes can play an important part in your lives and professional careers.
What you wear affects other people’s perception of you as well as your behavior and in the long run your perception of yourself.
Does this mean that you should ‘dress for the part’?
It basically comes down to your self-confidence and how you feel about yourself.
Some naturally self-confident people are less concerned about what they are wearing. The right attitude has more impact than the right clothes, but sometimes they go very well together…
How your hair looks is also an influencing factor, although this may apply more to women than men. The boost to self-esteem, feeling good because of looking good, makes it easier for you to push the limits of our comfort zone.
However, extremes should always be avoided.
You should be careful not to alienate people because you look too dressed-up or too casual; you should not make others feel neither awkward and intimidated, nor look down on you.
Colors, fabrics and styles also vary considerably and affect your behavior. Colors that are too bright or styles that are too extreme can cause distrust, often at a subconscious level.
The same can happen with jewelry – too much bling can be a bad thing.
Avoid ‘dressing to impress’. It won’t look or feel natural.
If you are meeting with a potential client, they may assume you are going to be too expensive.
Conversely dressing too casual can be perceived as lacking professionalism. It can be difficult to be taken seriously while wearing an old pair of jeans and a t-shirt.
Getting the balance right and dressing appropriately for the occasion can help you get to where you want to go.
5 replies to "Dressed for Success"
One of the greatest self development books is Think and grow rich. I believe if we think DO we can all grow rich. The power of gratitude also helps to make your life more memorable.
I so agree that happiness must come from the inside out. I find meditation valuable for that (I do TM) I saw the Pieta many years ago when it came to New York and was amazed at the peacefulness that it exuded. Talking about the Pieta and Michaelangelo was a beautiful way to introduce this topic!
I have to confess, snuggling is one of my favourite pass-times… whether spooning with my sweetie, snuggling with my grand-babies, or burrowing under my favourite lambswool throw. The energy transfer is awesome – well okay, maybe not so much energy transfer coming from the throw, but it does make me feel all warm and cozy when I’m in my recliner!
A fun post – and I love the picture… wish I still had my cat – we snuggled all the time!
YES! When I started writing about staying connected as we get older, part of that included the power of touch. For the elderly who live alone and isolate, one of the tragedies is not having physical contact. This is why furry pets can be such a blessing. We need to spread the word: touch, snuggle, hug, embrace, and hold hands daily if not more often.
Word…Chihuahua’s are cuddlie but the sudden outbursts of Yapping brings u back to reality