If James Bond and Tommy Boy started giving advice at the same time, who would you listen to?

This week all we’re doing is taking a look in the mirror and asking ourselves one simple question:

Would I listen to someone who talks and dresses like me?

This has nothing to do with vanity or trying to appear wealthy or anything like that. This is only directed at the things we can control that will allow us to make a good impression and start to build trust with the people we interact with. I want to make a difference in the world. I want to help people start a relationship with Jesus Christ. How am I supposed to expect people to listen to me talk about self-control if I can’t control my own language? Why would I expect people to think that I have pride and joy in my heart, yet I can’t dress respectfully and appropriately for whatever occasion we are at?

If you want to be respected, be respectable.

When you wake up in the morning you have all the tools you need:

1- A brain that allows you to chose your words wisely – it may take time, but the effort is worth it (and remember that garbage in = garbage out).

2- A razor, a comb, and a toothbrush – simple grooming is the standard, pay attention to the details. Too little, or too much, is off-putting.

3- Dress right for your age and occasion. If you want to be treated like a tweenager, dress like a tweenager. If you want to grow, dress like the person you are becoming.

The challenge:

Pay attention to the details of yourself. Again, this is not for vanity or status. I’ve learned that if I want to be listened to, I have to remove the little things people get hung up on, like sloppy clothes or cursing. You automatically remove any respect they may have otherwise had for you. And yes, I learned this the hard way. So be brutally honest with yourself and ask yourself: would I listen to someone if they looked and sounded like me?

Let’s end average language and subpar grooming. Let’s end average together.

Post by Ryan Hansen, author of EndAverage.com – When being average isn’t good enough we look to the Bible for lessons on getting to the next level in Faith, Relationships, Health, and Finances. You can connect with him and a whole league of imperfect people who are improving their lives on Facebook!