Image is subjective. We all have a style, mannerism, and a way of dress that are truly our own. What many authors, consultants, and online personalities get wrong about image is the letter “I”. Image is an outward reflection of one’s self-esteem. While it’s important to understand and adhere to cultural customs e.g. black tie, business casual, it’s also important to understand that Image is ever-evolving and unconstrained by dogma. Let’s begin by defining what Image is:
- Image
- A representation of the external form of a person or thing in art.
- The general impression that a person, organization, or product presents to the public.
Table of Contents
The “Swagless” Days
The importance of image became apparent to me upon reaching puberty. At that time, my fear of “cooties” subsided and I began crushing on a couple of my female classmates. But to my chagrin – none of the girls ever took me seriously. I was perplexed, confused, and disheartened because some of the other boys had all of the girls vying for their attention and affection. To cope, I rationalized their success as a side effect of being an athlete, smart, handsome or some combination of the 3. However, my rationale crumbled to pieces as even the not so handsome and/or smart were more successful with the girls than I.
After some introspection, I realized that the other boys presented very well. They were refined – adorned with the latest cloths, freshest hairstyles, and hip on the newest slang…they were everything I wasn’t! I decided it was necessary to pay closer attention to what I wore, how I spoke, and how I managed my hygiene if I too were to play at their level. To make this a reality, I took a job as a Paper Boy to cover some of the clothing expenses my Mother could not. I took my first earnings and immediately began to invest in my Image.
I started to develop my own style, it was dressy and conservative but on occassion I augmented it with a bit of flash. My style wasn’t derivative, it was uniquely me and it set me apart from the popular boys in the neighborhood.
New Image, New Prospects
My improvements were noticed by the “in-crowd” first, who quickly acknowledged my transformation and welcomed me into their exclusive club. The girls also began showing an interest in me which I welcomed with open arms. The reimagining of myself had worked as planned and it set the course for a more fun and inclusive life. But I didn’t stop there, I continued to improve by reading books, watching movies, and trying different styles to expand on my image. I came a long way in this process and so can you.
Finding Your Purpose
My journey into image consciousness centered around dating but that does not have to be your motivation. My goal is to demonstrate to you the power of image and why you should be cognizant of yours. You see, I was the same person before and after my image upgrade but I was often overlooked based on first impressions. Some may write this off as superficial but is it really? Regardless on where you fall, I recommend that you do not discount the importance of your image.
Investing in yourself is a lifelong activity that fosters financial growth, well-being, career advancements and possibly a better love life. I can attest to all of the above because I’ve experienced a better quality of life once I practiced growing and maintaining my image. Face it, we lead with our image, it’s in fact, the very first thing people will notice about us. It is your duty to make your first impression your best impression.
In Vol. 2 of “The Importance of Image” series we’ll delve a little deeper into the world and mindset of image and what it means to have a great one.
Quick Tips: Clean pressed shirt, shine your shoes, do not wear wrinkled cloths, keep your hair neat, Smile, stand straight, speak clearly, be polite, be a gentleman, read, shop, invest in a wardrobe.
Start to improve your image today, it’s never too late.
