Do people think of you as a flake? Are you always feeling scattered and one step behind everybody else? Do your dreams and goals seem out of reach, no matter how hard you try?
Sometimes, the first step towards being the person you want to be is to simply start pretending. Learn how to start looking (and acting) like you’ve got your shit together, and eventually you actually will.
These six tips will help you get started. Begin with one or two, and see how easy it is to fake it until you make it.
Make a Plan
People who are organized and successful don’t get there by chance. They come up with plans to meet their goals and they write them down. They also don’t rely on their memory. To start feeling like you’ve got your shit together, make notes, keep lists, and maintain a calendar.
Writing things down frees your mind up so you don’t have to strain yourself trying to remember important details. It also helps you avoid looking like a flake for forgetting grandma’s birthday or lunch plans with your girlfriend.
Think about your goals and write them down. Write out the things you need to do and decide on your daily, weekly, and longer-term priorities. Begin each morning by reviewing your calendar and to-do list so you have a good grasp of what needs to happen that day.
Create Routines
Habits and routines allow you to get things done without having to overthink them. This is another way to help your brain relax.
When was the last time you had to think through how to brush your teeth or tie your shoes? You probably can’t remember. In fact, most of the time we go through the whole process without even realizing it happened. There’s often no evidence at all except for the minty taste in your mouth and the fact that you’re wearing your shoes.
It’s super-easy to start incorporating these types of habits into other areas of your life. Streamline your day by adding new routines and repeating them over and over. Doing this makes your life run smoother and frees up time and brain power for you to focus on more important things.
Stay in Touch
If you want to look like you’ve got your shit together, don’t let messages linger too long. Answer texts, emails, and phone calls in a timely manner. When you type out a text or email, double-check to make sure you actually pushed “send.” You’d be surprised how often this little habit will save you from having to make apologies later.
Take the initiative and reach out to people once in a while. If you feel like you never have the time, make it a part of your morning or evening routine. Spend 10 minutes or so each day taking a quick look through your contacts and reaching out to say hello.
Set a goal to touch base with a certain number of contacts each week. This could take many forms including sending a card to your grandma, calling a friend to see how she’s been doing, or emailing someone you met at a networking event. When it comes to maintaining connections, silence isn’t golden. Communication is king, and it’s easy to do when you make it a priority.
Focus on Your Closet
Spend the time and money to acquire enough pieces of clothing you really love wearing and get rid of the rest. Having a clean and organized closet full of items that look great on you minimizes morning stress and makes it easy to pull off a polished look.
Do you usually freak out when you have to go someplace and don’t have anything to wear? Have you ever canceled plans or skipped an event because you didn’t have an appropriate outfit? If so, it’s time to make your wardrobe a priority. Examine your budget to see where you can free up some cash to make this investment in yourself. Outlet stores and discount retailers like Marshalls or TJ Maxx are great places to find quality pieces without breaking the bank.
Before you go to bed each night, choose your outfit including shoes and accessories. Having a plan in place will help minimize morning stress and ensure that you’re not running out the door looking frazzled and disheveled.
Details Matter
If you want to look put-together, it’s time to start paying attention to details. Keep up on your hair and nails, wax your eyebrows, bleach your teeth, and get some sunshine.
When planning your outfits, add at least two accessories. This could include a belt, earrings, scarf, necklace, bracelet, or cute handbag. Try to get an idea of which things go together and keep them organized so you can run out the door looking polished without too much effort.
Nobody’s perfect all the time, but carrying some essentials with you can get you pretty close. Keep some tweezers, a tube of lipstick, mascara, and mints in your purse. You may not always walk out the door looking flawless, but if you’re prepared, you can make adjustments on the fly.
Your Home is Your Castle
Not only does a well-kept home look nice, having a clean and organized home gives you the mental space to better prepare for your days. Without the stress of excessive clutter, you can think more clearly and have less to worry about.
Make a schedule of household chores, broken down by ones you’ll do each morning, each night, and weekly. Once you get into the routine, you’ll see how easy it is to keep your space looking great. Next time guests drop by unannounced, they’ll see just how far you’ve come towards getting your shit together.
Originally published at blissquest.net