Your Partner in Blessings "Determined to Improve Your Professional Life"
Dress for Success is not just about dress
It's About Your Total Image
You heard the adage that Image Is Everything. Well, it is in most cases even in the workplace, business, relationships and more! Let’s be true to ourselves – we all judge people whether we want to admit it or not based on their image. For example, most of us will give people more of our time and attention and even our business to people based on their appearance aka image. Study shows in the first 4 or 5 second people make all kinds of assumptions about you regarding your educational background, economic status, well-being, character and more. How you package your total image can impact your future and be the very key to your success or demise.
Let’s be clear powering up your image is not just about your expensive or hot outfit/s, hairstyle/cut, cars or looks – it’s about having the total package. Here are some things you must “know” to Power Up Your Image & Build Your Total Package.
- Know Your Industry – Do your research. Knowing the industry, you are aspiring to will determine the proper dress code, social behavior, professional conduct, communication style that is necessary for you to advance in your career. For example, an aspiring Rapper most likely would not wear a corporate business suit if he wants to promote his artistry in the rapper’s industry and vice versa. Why? Because it doesn’t fit the image or/and the norm of that industry.
- Know Your Power Colors – The colors that enhance your coworker’s complexion may not enhance your complexion (we have different color palate). Choose colors that make your complexion more radiant. To help with this you can try on different color scarves, ties or shirts/blouses. Once you do, pay attention to the difference it makes against your skin tone.
- Know Your Body Type – That outfit's design may not compliment your body type. Choose styles/designs that will flatter your figure and make you pop!
- Know What Successful People Wear – Dress the way you see executives or professionals dress in your industry. Look the part and become the part
- Watch Your Body Language – Stand, walk and sit with grace, style and confidence. Body language speaks louder than words and can be the hidden key to your success. However, a Construction worker is not expected to walk or present him/herself like a top Executive in a Fortune 500 company. (It’s not about the economic status – it’s about having the right image and body language that fits the industry) .
- Know the Right Communication Style – Practice becoming articulate in any industry. Increase your vocabulary but use words that are natural. Heads Up! Learn and speak the language and/or jargon as some would say that is suitable for that industry.
- Stay informed – keep yourself informed - know what's hot and what's not; stay abreast of current market trends, employment trends, technology trends, and even fashion trends. It will add to your conversations and build your image and total package, and hopefully, it will make you more attractive to those you wish to have in your circle.
- Know who to hang out with and where to hang out - try to hang out with like-minded people more; look to hang out with people that have been where you want to go. As the saying goes you are known by the company you keep and I might add - you are known by the places you go. It's imperative to expand your horizon and circle; take risks and get out of your comfort zone. Most of the opportunities you dream about are not there.
- Well-being – How you take care of yourself - mentally, emotionally and physically can affect your well-being, thus your total package and perhaps your career; so commit today to do what’s in your power to do to take care of your well-being – it’s a necessity!; if you can’t go it alone - get a support system which can include a family member, friend, coach or medical professional to assist you in the process but whatever you do - make it a priority – your life, total image and even your career depend on it.
- Be a person of Good Character – Last but not least, I often hear leaders refer to this statement - Your ability may take you places but your character will keep you there. Considering this, I suggest, being a role model of someone that is honest, trustworthy, respectful, transparent, and concerned about others is necessary to power up your total image. You see your total image speaks volumes and it has a lot more to do with who you are on the inside than who you appear to be on the outside. So, Powering Up Your Image really starts from the “Inside Side Out”.
