Dressing For Success

I've always believed in the power of dress and appearance to influence my thinking.  I can remember getting dressed up for exams in college, because I felt like I'd be more successful showered and dressed nicely instead of showing up haggard in sweat pants, even if I studied all night before the exam.

Did it help?  I don't know.  I did get great grades – but how much of that was work and how much of "dressing for success" was just a mental exercise I did before the exam?

I have realized on this diet journey that I tend to eat better if I "dress for dieting success."  What does that mean?  If I'm wearing baggy "fat" pants and my big shapeless sleep shirts to lounge around at night, then I'm more likely to snack and graze on chips or popcorn.  Maybe it's all in my head, but if I keep my tight jeans on, I'm far less likely to overeat.

This works for dining out, too, especially buffets.  I wear my tightest jeans, my "skinny" shirts that are form-fitting and it helps remind me to stay in control and listen to my hunger instead of just grazing because food is there.

I'm even putting on make up more often.  I mean, I work from HOME.  No one's going to see me, even if I talk with co-workers all day in back-to-back meetings.  They couldn't care less if I'm wearing sweats or jeans, with my hair in a pony tail or make up on.  But I FEEL BETTER if I'm "fixed up."  I don't put make up on for work each day, but I am making a conscious effort to do so more often, especially if we're going out.

I just feel better about my appearance.  And if I feel better about how I look, then I take more care in how I treat myself, especially food.  Maybe it's all in my head, but so much of the journey is a mental test.  Am I going to stay on plan today?  Am I going to exercise today?  Or will I find a dozen excuses….?

This leads me to a question that I'm still thinking about.  Is there a way I can dress for WRITING success?

I honestly don't think clothing will help, but there are certain things that can make me more productive, more "professional" and ready to write.  Like shutting down all my web browsers, especially Twitter.  Always having a caffeine drink handy.  Playing the right song for each story in the background.  One of the things I'm going to try to do better this week is hand write a few notes to myself each day about what I want the next section to do.  I hope this will be especially helpful in 3Aliens since I don't have a formal plot.  I know the ending, but I don't know how I'm going to get them there yet!

What do you think – is dressing for success all in my head?