Interestingly enough, I've built sort of an alter ego at work

[Teknoe]

and I think that alter ego is actually slowly becoming the "idealized me." The me that I have always pictured in my head being:

 

-Sharp wit

-Funny

-Cheerful

-Positive

-Supportive

-Prankster

-Assertive!

-A little edgy

-Carefree

-Doesn't care so much what others think

 

I am a mish mash of those qualities outside work, but for whatever reason, when I go to work, I feel like I have been able to put all those qualities TOGETHER, and I love the feeling! I am immensely respected and loved at work, and coworkers are always telling me how funny I am or how much they appreciate me. It sure boosts my confidence, and makes me think back to all my girl rejections and say, "Nothing was wrong with me; it just wasn't the right match/fit."

 

Can anyone relate? Have you been able to produce sort of an alter ego in some environment where you felt it was becoming you in general over time? Or maybe it's because I hit 30 recently and I finally got to the point where it's like "I'm gonna be me and I don't care what anyone else thinks." The stuff I say at work, and get away with, because people love me, is literally stunning. I say a lot of crass, witty, "you know I am just kidding" things that someone else might get slapped, but for me people laugh and go "Oh Tek, you are so awesome."

 

I love my work alter ego, and I feel like it's slowly becoming me in general

[Teknoe]

If this is the best version of you than yes make it you every where with every one.

 

Yup, trying to!

 

I think what accounts for it is something so simple: I dress my best. Outside work, I can get lazy and just put on "meh clothes" (plain looking jeans and a tee along with well worn tennis shoes) that I just don't feel "great in." But because I'm just running errands, I don't want to put on my "best" clothes. But at work, I feel it's "worth it." The better I look, the better I feel, the better I act. With that comes more confidence. So I'm becoming more comfortable in my skin.

 

I think it's also the level of colleague respect... everyone just boosts me up it's like I'm being spoiled with the love. Makes me feel important and that I count.

 

I am now trying to be this "version of me" wherever I go.

[Teknoe]

What do you do and how do you dress? Suits?

 

I teach and I wear slacks, collared shirts with ties with dress shoes. I have some nice ones. On casual Fridays I wear stylish jeans with matching shoes and top (went shopping recently to update my clothes) and have been receiving rave reviews from colleagues. A little coordination goes a long way. Then you smile, you radiate and everyone is like "oh you're so cool" and you feel even cooler than what you really are.

 

Image and attitude are so big. They're almost everything, really, at least, to get you started.

 

I never ever wear my "crappy errand" jeans or tennis shoes to work. Never. Always break out the "good stuff" and so I look good, feel good.

[Teknoe]

I'm a teacher and I'll leave it at that. Don't think the grade is pertinent to know for others plus I feel uncomfortable sharing too much info beyond that.

[atomicdog]

I teach and I wear slacks, collared shirts with ties with dress shoes. I have some nice ones. On casual Fridays I wear stylish jeans with matching shoes and top (went shopping recently to update my clothes) and have been receiving rave reviews from colleagues. A little coordination goes a long way. Then you smile, you radiate and everyone is like "oh you're so cool" and you feel even cooler than what you really are.

 

Image and attitude are so big. They're almost everything, really, at least, to get you started.

 

I never ever wear my "crappy errand" jeans or tennis shoes to work. Never. Always break out the "good stuff" and so I look good, feel good.

 

I've also been improving my wardrobe over the last year. Wear a suit Monday-Thursday and nice jeans/shirt on Fridays.

 

It's definitely helped. People notice you more, joke around with you, basically treat you more like one of the gang. I also get more looks from women on the street.

 

I think it's partly because I look better and partly because I feel better.

 

Dressing well can actually be fun. I've come to enjoy spending an hour or two every weekend browsing for cheap, good looking stuff to wear. I think us men should definitely get more in touch with our fashion side.

[Teknoe]

Dressing well can actually be fun. I've come to enjoy spending an hour or two every weekend browsing for cheap, good looking stuff to wear. I think us men should definitely get more in touch with our fashion side.

 

Yup. The better you feel you look, the better you feel. Confidence is everything.

 

The better you feel, the better people respond to you. It's like this aura thing. You just have it when you have it, and your game (life game) gets upped like 50 points. Score!