Good Appearance Is Investment
Your appearance plays a crucial role in how others perceive you. No matter how often we say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” the truth is we all do. Unless the author has already become a personality, the cover is what grabs attention first.
Wear good clothes, because people aren’t going to fall in love with your mind at first glance. Think about it: you don’t usually strike up conversations with a homeless man precisely because his appearance looks shabby to you. But if a well-dressed, handsome man were in the same spot, your reaction would be very different. The difference lies in presentation.
Be well-groomed, smell pleasant, and, especially if you are a man, lift weights. Do not underestimate the power of a straight back and strong shoulders. People instinctively trust a well-dressed individual more than someone who looks careless. Harsh? Perhaps. But biology doesn’t care about your feelings. In the middle of the night, who would you trust more, a man dressed like a hobo or one dressed impeccably?
Of course, ordinary people don’t usually dress like hobos, but I used that analogy to highlight the contrast between low trust and high trust. When you pay attention to your appearance, regardless of how genetically gifted you are, you come across as more confident. You don’t feel lesser than anyone else, and that matters. First impressions are powerful, and appearances are the lens through which judgments are formed.
Well-dressed is well begun. Spend money on your appearance. Think of it as an investment, you’ll eventually realize it always was.