Choose to Take the Journey

I’m not sure if it’s because I used to be ruefully shy, or if it’s because I’m obsessed with perfection, but I somehow have an appetite for pushing social limits–mostly to see if there’s something I’m missing that I can still learn, but occasionally just out of ennui. One social convention that defies my ability to flout it, is dressing for the occasion.

When I first graduated from school, I applied to several optical stores, optometric practices, and laser surgical centers by just walking around my neighborhood. Sometimes I would wear a dress shirt, tie, and slacks as appropriate for my profession; sometimes I would just waltz into the place in a t-shirt and jeans, or even my gym clothes after a workout!

The results were consistent. I received phone calls for follow-up interviews from most of the locations where I dressed up. And I got nothing but silence from the places where I dressed down. Is it because my prospective employers were so picky about my method of dress? Or is it because dressing methodically gave me more confidence, which they picked up on? Probably a little of both. More importantly, dressing the part made me feel the part. When it came time to ask for a raise, I even found it easier to ask for one on days where I looked my best.

It’s not just for your job either. Sometimes I won’t feel like working out, but I trick myself by putting on gym clothes before I plop down on the couch. I’ll think, “Well, I’m already dressed to sweat, I might as well do a few laps around the track.”

Sometimes I’ll want to be a hermit, ignore my phone, and settle in for an anime marathon. But I’ll force myself to put on some cool going-out clothes first. After watching an episode, I’ll invariably feel unsettled. “Shouldn’t somebody see how good I look in this shirt?!” I know it sounds like a rather egotistical strategy, but it works.

If you want to eventually find Mrs. Right, you’ll have to make yourself available on the market. And if you’re going to set up shop and display your wares, dressing the part will help you feel more like Mr. Right. Sometimes it’s not enough to just be yourself. You need to show people your best self.