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Empower Yourself: Change Your Clothes, Change Your Career byDawn Waldrop You truly can achieve success through the power of your attire. With all this confusion on what is, or is not, appropriate professional attire people have forgotten they are professionals. They try to dress like everyone else even if it is uncomfortable for them. Stop! Be Authentic, Be Comfortable and Be Professional. How you perceive yourself, is how others will see you. Have you even thought about how you desire others to perceive you as professional man or woman? Most people have not, but for those who have their careers are reaping the benefits. Think about how you desire to be perceived as a professional in EVERY business situation. Write down two words: professional, competent, approachable, knowledgeable… Choose whatever words work for you. Dressing professional is not about taking away your favorite outfit or putting you in something in which you are uncomfortable. Dressing professional is about Being Who You Are and choosing your attire to meet your two words of perception and your goals. What are your goals: respect, recognition, better yourself, promotion, or increase your earnings? You choose which goals apply to you. Everyday, seriously look at yourself in a full-length mirror. Ask yourself this question: Am I dressed my best from head to toe? Give thought to how you want others to perceive you. Be careful, oftentimes what our intentions are and what we really do, are not the same. Ask someone who will be honest with you, “What two words would you use to describe me based on how I dress?” If your intention is to be perceived at a high level of professionalism and they respond “casual” then revisit your reflection in the mirror. Image is perception and perception is reality. If your intention is professional and they respond “professional” now you have made that perception a reality. Once we connect our intentions with reality, we present our authentic self. The energy we project is related to how we feel about the clothes we wear. When you look good you feel comfortable. You know when you feel good and others can tell as well. You also know when you are unsure of an article of clothing or accessory, you feel uncomfortable and others notice. Here are ways you can use your appearance as a business tool to gain respect, recognition, promotion, and increase your earning power. Build your business wardrobe to 70% of your closet. Where are you the majority of the day? Work! These are clothes worn only to work. By keeping this wardrobe separate from your weekend attire you will always look professional and save money. Here’s something you might find hard to believe. The shoes are the most important accessory. Yet people pay the least attention to their shoes. In fact, the shoes are the first thing we see as someone approaches. When a person walks away the shoes are the last thing we remember. You don’t want someone remembering your dirty shoes. Make sure your shoes are look new and are a professional style. It is important to have our clothes tailored because every person has one arm and leg longer than the other. Wear the shoes you normally wear with the outfit. Tailoring is becoming a dying art so before leaving the store try the outfit on again to make sure the alterations are correct. Long sleeves create authority. Wear long sleeves in an important meeting or with a customer. If you wear short sleeves or remove your jacket, you will be less authoritative. Dress for the industry, position, and type of people you meet. Think about who you will be seeing during the day, and dress appropriately. Determine if the day dictates ‘power professional’, ‘professional’, or ‘business casual’ attire. If you are meeting with a president or CEO, the dress code is a power professional business suit: a suit in all one color. Your next customer sports casual attire. Men remove your jacket to create a more relaxed message. Women change to a flat shoe. Regarding business casual—choose it wisely. It is important for others to recognize you as the professional. Ask yourself this question. “Do I want others perceiving me as a casual professional?” If the answer is “no,” then wear a suit with or without the jacket. If the answer is “yes,” dress the first level of business casual. For the man: a collared dress shirt with dress pants and loafer type shoes with or without a blazer or sport coat. For a woman: trouser style pants, flat shoes, and a professional blouse with suit jacket. Invest and learn what works best for you. After all we are not all cut from the same cloth. Search out a consultant in your area with an ‘educational’ background in image. They will help you key into what works best for you in color and style. This will save you time and money! You will never have to ask, “What should I wear today?” or “Is this appropriate attire for my job?” Your professional appearance package communicates your personality, self-esteem, and how you will perform on the job. Just as you can’t be missing a skill to perform your job, you can’t overlook your image. Develop an image plan as a part of your career plan. Your image is a tool that will empower you to be the best professional you can be. Dawn E. Waldrop, Best Impressions® LLC is a national speaker and leading image expert on attire in the workplace. She is the founder of the three levels of attire: Power Professional, Professional and Business Casual described in her book: Best Impressions How To Gain Professionalism, Promotion and Profit. She conducts image training sessions for businesses and one –on-one coaching for individuals. dwaldrop@best-impressions.com or visit www.best-impressions.com Article Source: www.nolimitsforme.com |
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