The devil is in the details. But hey, details pave the wave for victories, too. Battles are won by not letting anything slip through the cracks.
According to our friend Mr. Webster, detail is the “extended treatment of or attention to particular items.” In today’s fast-paced world, paying attention to details is underrated. Most people just want to get things done as quickly as possible, even if there are mistakes and miscalculations here and there.
Why should you proofread your social media posts when no one notices the grammatical error? Why should you pay thousands of dollars to get a suit that fits you well when a lot of start-up entrepreneurs get away with sneakers and old jeans? Why should you value the importance of getting the right proportion of gin and tonic when you will end up drunk anyway? Why play in an online casino if you will lose anyway?
Here’s the simple truth: If you don’t care, other people won’t.
Whether it’s in the workplace or at home, paying attention to details sends the message that you need to be taken seriously. Yeah, it sounds like a lot of work to check everything again but it will boost your confidence knowing that people see you as someone who knows how to get things right.
So, what kind of details are important to a modern gentleman like you? A lot, actually. But here are some of the things you can start with.
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Look Sharp, Be Sharp
No matter what people say, looks do matter. People will judge you based on your appearance, especially at work. The clothes you choose determine if people will listen to you or not. It subconsciously influences people to trust you or dislike you. It’s not an exaggeration to say that how you dress increases or decreases your value. The right outfit
If you don’t know where to start with improving your clothes, try maximizing the power of colors and patterns. For example, a red tie signifies authority and a lighter-colored tie signifies openness. It’s also great to find yourself a reliable tailor who can make sure your clothes fit you well. The more you pay attention to details when dressing up, the easier it will be for you to get things right.
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Improve Your Grooming Habits
By now you probably know that grooming is not just for women. Yeah, the rugged look just went back in style, but if you want to look more classy, you need to pay attention to grooming habits. A clean look never goes out of style.
To pull this off, keep in mind that grooming is not a one-time-big-time thing. You need to create a routine that works for you. It doesn’t have to complicated or expensive, after all maintenance and grooming are long-term needs, so you need to come up with something sustainable. Spending fifteen or twenty minutes more in the bathroom can do wonders in removing unsightly hair or having cleaner nails. To complete your overall look, invest in hair products that work for you and a signature scent that leaves a good impression.
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Know Your Drinks
Grabbing a six-pack in the convenience store and chugging away with your bros is somewhat acceptable if you are a college student with zero interest in the finer things in life. However, if you want your friends and colleagues to respect your alcoholic preferences, you might want to consider educating yourself onthe art of drinking.
Whether it’s whiskey, wine, gin, or craft beer, go the extra mile and understand what makes a drink special. Educate yourself about IPAs or alcohol content or wine pairings. Read books and learn about drinking instead of just filling your tummy with the cheapest alcoholic drink you can afford. Bonus points if you can learn how to whip up a cocktail (or maybe brew a beer). That will surely make you the star of any party.
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Learn Basic Kitchen Skills
Just like drinking beer from the convenience store, eating fast food every night is acceptable only up to a certain age. If you want to be taken seriously, you need to learn your way around the kitchen. Even just learning how to cook a couple of simple dishes can make a huge difference. Gone are the days when men believe that cooking is a woman’s job.
Learn how to do your grocery shopping properly. Make a list. Learn how to pick the good vegetables. Learn how to use the knife. Learn to appreciate the different flavors and spices that make food special. You don’t have to learn how to cook a lot of dishes but at least have a go-to dish that you can easily whip up whenever you have a guest visiting you. Try learning how to cook a healthy pasta sauce and pair it up with a protein dish like roasted chicken. Make sure you have all the ingredients you need for these dishes in your cupboard so you’re always ready for an “emergency.”
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Know The Basic Conversation Hacks
Do you always struggle with making small talk?
Learning how to communicate well is something that’s definitely worth sweating over. Knowing the right things to say and how to say them can take you places! Even if you are an introvert, it is possible to learn basic conversation hacks that will help you survive parties and office get-togethers.
If you’re feeling nervous, try to fake your confidence until you feel comfortable. Speak clearly and ask non-intrusive questions. Sports, food, and movies are generally safe topics to talk about. If you have a pet, make sure you have a picture on your phone because it’s a good conversation starter. The most important thing is to learn how to listen to what other people are saying. Don’t just pretend to listen and not at every phrase. Really try to understand what the other person is saying. When you put your heart and mind to listening, the conversation will flow more naturally.