The theme for this month is “Marching Toward Your Financial Goals.” Cute, huh? Usually, this blog talks about ways to save and invest the money you are earning. This month, the focus will be on getting more money coming into your household. It’s all about the top line in March!
In the February 22, 2015 Wall Street Journal, there was an article by Ray A. Smith entitled “Dress for Success – And Perhaps Be a Success.” The article summarizes the results of a Yale study in which people wearing different standards of clothing were put into business situations. Not surprisingly (to me, at least), identical negotiations were much more successful for the participants wearing business suits than the ones in sweat pants.
The same article cites a study published by the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science (catchy title!) that showed that people dressed more formally tend to engage in higher levels of abstract thinking than those dressed like slobs. During assigned tasks, slobs got bogged down in the details, while sharp dressers thought more big picture. Who thinks big picture in the work force? That’s right, highly paid executives!
Of course, if you work in an environment that is ultra-casual, you don’t want to show up every day in a tuxedo. However, dressing or accessorizing slightly more professionally than your work place can impact how others see you, and more importantly, how you see yourself. Can a lucrative promotion be far behind?
I started my financial planning business 9 years ago with no clients and only personal money to invest in my business (gulp). Back then, a wise man told me to dress, act, and present my business as I want it to be in the future, not as it is right now. It was good advice. If you are looking to make more money, dress and work like you are at the level to which you aspire. When the opening comes up, people will naturally see you in the role.
If these topics sound like they would be of interest to your employees, sales conference, or professional organization, contact me at 303-324-0014 or kristi@
