Within seconds of meeting someone we leave a first impression. Will it be a lasting impression? Will they forget about you minutes later? Many years ago I learned the saying “it’s not what is but what is perceived.” Unfortunately in this ever changing world people are judged almost immediately. I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking I don’t care what people think of me. I’m just doing me. And that’s great.  I’m not saying don’t be yourself. What I’m saying is you owe it to yourself to look and feel your best. And you owe it yourself to fill up your bucket with as much knowledge as you can. " Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes"


Dressed To The Nines.

We all have closets that house a variety of different wardrobes. The question is what do you decide to put on and when. It has nothing to do with how much it cost or if it is the latest trend. It’s more of the DECISION you make before you walk out of your room.

If you’re running to the store quick how do you dress? This is for men or women. Do you throw on sweats with a stained shirt and slippers? Do you have bed head and don’t even brush your teeth? Or do you pull out a fresh shirt and your nicest sweats or pants and look in the mirror and brush your teeth and make sure your hair is brushed or combed.

How about if you’re invited to a cook out or party. How do you dress? Do you wear your newest outfit or old shorts and dirty sneakers? Chances are you’re going to meet new people. Don’t you want to leave a good impression?

If we take a lesson from our teenagers and young adults in our lives, what is their attention to looking their best? Well as the father of a teenage daughter I can tell you looking her best is a priority. She always shops for the latest fashions and spend a lot of time getting ready everyday. Now don’t get me wrong there are days she has sweatpants and slippers to go to the store quick but that is acceptable as a child in my opinion because it’s not consistent. It’s a little harder for college students they probably roll out of bed some days and try and look their best for a day of classes and studying all night. But when they go out with their friends or to dinner they completely transform and dress appropriately.

The younger generation dresses up and takes care of themselves because with all the stresses they are coping with, they do it to raise their self esteem and feel good about themselves. Adults should take a page out of their book.

Our wardrobes may differ in our career vs outside life. Your job may require a uniform that you can’t deviate from. But that doesn’t mean an iron can’t be your friend. It doesn’t mean a shower and being clean is a bad option.

I’m required to wear a suit everyday and I have been wearing one for 25 years. I’ve always felt that life should have a minimum level of aesthetic professionalism. Personally and professionally. Why? Because if you want people to take you serious you have to look serious. If you want to grow, sell, pitch or close you have to exude confidence. Not only in what you are  selling or presenting but In yourself. I’ve interviewed many people in my career. If you look sloppy or not presentable. You will not be hired because you did not take the time to be serious about yourself no matter what your resume says. If you can't take that extra few minutes to dress nice for an interview, then that laziness will carry over into your work. Obviously if you work with your hands and you get dirty everyday that’s understandable. But when you go out with your significant other or family, do you try and look your best? Before I leave the house for anything. Even to just run to the store. The iron comes out. I do my hair and off I go. I may never know who I may run into. This may sound a little arrogant, people who are put together are treated differently. One day while we were remodeling a house I went in my suit to pick up 10 gallons of paint. What they didn't know is a few hours later I was going to be covered in it. But the guy in the store stopped me as I was carrying it out and said "Sir your dressed way to nice to be carrying that out, let me get that for you." Again I'm just a normal guy, but being well dressed I was noticed. People poke fun of when we travel of how many suitcases we bring. We just got back from Italy. It was 3 of us, 7 suitcases. It was a bitch to carry all that but we felt we wanted to have options to be completely overdressed if we wanted to. If you have read this far you would notice I never mentioned the word money or being expensive. You don’t have to shop at the most expensive stores. It’s about looking your best at all times. It will bring you confidence and you will feel good about yourself.