Does that question perplex you or make you laugh as much as it makes me laugh? Well, maybe you don’t know just how much that does make me laugh. And I have to tell you that sometimes it just makes me howl with laughter. Not because some people need so much help that they may be beyond help. That’s just catty. I’m not beyond being catty, by the way. It’s just that as a keen observer of people, it’s more in my giving nature to want to help.
What I mean, rather, is whether it is truly necessary to follow 20 printed tips, or to adhere to 692 stated trends as claimed on some cover of Vogue. It could cause panic in a person. Pop a melatonin and talk yourselves down from the swirl of zaniness associated with all of the tips.
Many individuals have reached out to me lately asking for answers to their image issues – some too small to hire me, and others so large we have to prioritize where to begin. Some inquires have led to ideas for my blog, others to speaking engagements, and even to interview opportunities.
The sheer number of tips chronicled in this blog, and enumerated in various books, articles, and magazines seem endless. My hope has always been that some tidbit of information tugs at someone’s interest and encourages positive and lasting change.
But even I had to crack up while reading an article – that quoted me in several places – because the author decided to list out 20 tips to help people improve their image on the cheap. My guffaw was due to the instant observation that if one person were to follow the advice of the 20 tips, the “cheap” ideas might not be so inexpensive any more.
Quite honestly, when I work with clients, and as I shared with the newspaper columnist, it’s crucial to prioritize what’s most important. If you are on a very restricted budget, what will make the most improvement for the least amount of money, time, or effort? Of course, this ponderous comment did not make its way into the article, but perhaps it’s the most important thing to contemplate before reading the otherwise very good tips.
That there are so many ways for getting from “here” to “there” is exactly why I streamlined a method to the madness of image development. They are the simplest tips:
1] Know your personal style as it aligns to your personality and goals
2] Connect to the strengths of your personal coloring so others will, too
3] Clean out and organize your closet so you have only “you” looking back at you
4] Update your hairstyle, eyeglasses, and skincare regimen before updating the wardrobe
5] Know whom you’re meeting and where you’re going before updating your wardrobe
6] Observe your body language and make appropriate adjustments
7] Make further improvements in your business etiquette
I’m a big believer in keeping the concept of change simple so you can’t get bogged down in minutiae on your own. But everyone loves a good, cheap tip here and there – even when they come 20 at a time!
Designing and managing your image is the secret science of your success.
Joseph Rosenfeld helps professional men and corporate workgroups create effective visual brands. Visit JosephRosenfeld.com for details.
