I learned a HUGE secret about success in Los Angeles. I stumbled upon one of the most effective ways to get one's toes in the door, if not their entire foot.
Aside from the talent, drive, belief, and determination one must first possess (though talent is debatable these days), the greatest complimentary weapon one can acquire and harness...
...IS CONFIDENCE.
Now, before you criticize this claim and label it somewhat obvious to even the most simple of minds, allow me to iterate my findings.
When in Los Angeles (Hollywood in particular), I had become cognizant to the reality that by carrying yourself distinctively and almost regally, others not only visually see confidence - but more importantly - FEEL confidence. By creating that certain air about you (but remember to keep your nose at a friendly level), you can orchestrate an energy and aura about you that makes others feel your presence. You can command and capture attention by being "loud," but never uttering a single word. By carrying yourself with a healthy amount of confidence AND an equally compelling amount of humility, you will find that perfect strangers' interests in you pique. Creating and propelling that certain presence about you makes those around you want to get to know you, associate with you.
And the manner in which you walk, posture and all, plays such an immeasurable role. With almost every single new person I interact with, before any other detail about my character is noted and prior to any form of verbal exchange, I am regarded for my strut, as everyone refers to it. Everywhere I go, it is the first trait about me that people take notice of. Later events and experiences that took place in my high school adolescence contributed to this positive growth of self-esteem.
"You have the kind of walk that belongs on the runway."
"You don't walk, you strut."
"Can you teach me how to walk like that?"
"The first time I saw you from a distance, I saw that you have the kind of walk that makes a person look at you and go, 'damn. That guy is hot.’"
So many statements and questions encompass how I get from point A to point B. And to be honest, it is something that is just inherent of my nature, though some of my posture was taught to me. But my movement, this "strut," isn't really something I can teach to another, per se. Hell-- I remember being a little boy and my father always demanding that I "quit walking like a girl."
What did I know? I was just a kid being myself.
There is generally a catch to all of this, you understand: that people are usually unable to distinguish where confidence ends and arrogance begins. But that's a different story for a different day.
Attire, for the most part, goes hand-in-hand with this concept. When you are dressed in such a way that "pulls everything together," you can't help but feel the harmony and cohesion. You feel beautiful. When your very clothing causes you to desire to be seen, to go out and mingle, it speaks volumes of your emotions and state of mind. Fashion really is an outward expression of feelings and moods.
Let me finish with this little story. Over the span of a week, dressed in various and different outfits, feeling as confident as I've been in the past couple of years, and pairing it with my signature strut, I had COUNTLESS strangers - some women, most men - either stare at me (and I mean turn heads/double take) or simply try to converse with me at first glance and when I walked on by.
Walking down Hollywood Boulevard to the grocery store, a man walking in the opposite direction, made eye contact with me for a split second. His reaction? "Hey gorgeous." And mind you, I’m not even the best looking person.
Walking down Santa Monica Boulevard to get some lunch at a cafe, bandana across my head, aviators reflecting the sun, another man stops in his tracks and says hello. I smile and say hello back. He's just standing, staring, watching me as I'm on my way.
These examples are not intended to flatter myself - I'm attempting to prove my point. And whether you believe it or not really is of no concern to me. I'm taking my own advice so that I'll be able to continue making dreams come true.
It is beyond vital to stay as humble as possible, note to self, note to anyone willing to listen. So go do something remarkable. Go on and believe in yourself and let people see it. Allow yourself to allow others to feel you from a distance. It'll make priceless first impressions. And at some point, it'll attract those of importance to you. BELIEVE ME. :)
Having the time of my life adjusting to fame. ;)
*hehe*
Reki*
