We’ve all at some point embellished how successful we really are, or alluded to making more money than we actually do. Yet there is something specific about those who actually are successful besides the obvious. They look the part. Down to the nitty-gritty, the littlest detail. When you see these people sashaying about, you just know that they are the real deal.
How do they pull it off? It didn’t all come from just working hard and making money, looking good is learned. Successful people surround themselves with other successful people. As they moved up in their careers, they watch how their mentors pay attention to their overall appearance which includes hiring the help such as a fashion consultant, and mimic them so they too can bask in that successful glow of style.
My dad always told me you could tell the success of a man by his watch and I agree with dear old dad, but there are a few other details he forgot to mention.
Here are 3 cheats to looking more successful.
1. Your Pen... remember pens?!
Mont Blanc penMont Blanc pen
Have you ever used a nice pen? NO, not the gimmicky pen you got at that trade show, I mean a reaaally nice pen? I hadn’t until I met my husband. I needed to write down our take-out order. Out of his pocket came his gleaming, gorgeous pen. The weight of it caught me by surprise, and the way it wrote made even my chicken scratches look important. I remember how it made me feel about my husband. I figured he had to be important; how could he not be with such an exquisite pen? Who would need such a pen, unless they were signing million dollar contracts? If you deal with people in your job, a fancy pen tells them more about you than you ever could. Make them wonder. When they ask to borrow your pen (make damn sure you get it back- many a time my husband has had people try to pop his pen it in their breast pocket nonchalantly!) it will make such an impression that they will feel the chill from how cool you look!
2. Your Key Chain
Mont Blanc key chainMont Blanc key chain
Ideally, it would have a nice car key on it, but lets take things step by step. I remember hearing the custodian at my middle school jingling down the hallway, being weighed down by the volume of keys attached to his belt. At 12 years old, I worried about the health of this joints his keys were so heavy! Enter you, a normal guy looking to fib his way to seeming just a little more successful. Picture this: after work, you meet your hot date for happy hour. You sit down, and place your keys on the table. Your classy, nicely designed key chain, with only two keys on it -your car key and your house key- gleams like a beacon of someone with style and restraint. Your hot date notices, and infers that like your key chain, you understand and seek out the finer things, herself being one of them. People who are successful are meticulous and well thought out. Leave the bulky key chain in your car, and streamline what you need to give an impression of organization and control.
3. Your Wallet
Filo Fax WalletFilo Fax Wallet
Nothing says “I just moved back in with my parents” like neon velcro wallet! If you have to peel it open to get to your cash, or you won it at the bar, you seem like you haven’t got a lot of it good sense or money. When you pull out your wallet, it should be sleek and organized (just like your finances right??). Yours has 3 credit cards, a few club cards, and a small stack of business cards. That’s it. Leave the rest of your junk in your briefcase or car. Your cash doesn’t even go in your wallet because you have a very nice money clip. The coins go in your pocket. So, at a business lunch, when you pull out your wallet, your customer sees you as organized and professional, which must be exactly what it will be like doing business with you. Boom. New customer for you.
When you put emphasis on the everyday little things, you elevate your style. Those who don’t have extra cash, don’t spend money on the tiny details. By having well thought out and stylish accessories, you appear to have both the funds and the understanding of what it feels like to look successful.