I believe in the law of attraction. Like attracts like. That's the way it is with how we relate to people. We tend to get to know better those who are more similar to us, than those who are opposite.
(pictures from armani.com)
Of course, there is also the phrase "opposite attracts". There is some degree of truth in this phrase. For example, different ends of a magnetic pole, women and men, etc. I think "opposite attracts" in people only works if it brings the best of the two parties.
Back to like attracts like. My experience is that it is a joy to work with clients who are more similar to me, than those who are different in their philosophy to image management. My typical client profile:
* caring
* friendly
* generous
* eager to learn
* know their strengths and weaknesses, do not try to do everything by themselves
* honest, and appreciative of honest opinions
* humble
* aiming to live a wholistic life
* eager to live on a higher purpose rather than just looking at money
* no problem getting rid of things they do not need
These are clients who repeatedly come to me. Then there are those I have worked with that just do not work out as well as the ones who fit the above profile. They fit into the following profile:
* eager for fame
* using money to buy a lot of convenience, including using it in order to have others to run errands for them
* assertive (more like aggressive) business go-getters
* thrive in competitiveness
* fear of exposing their flaws
* have great problems getting rid of possessions
* calculating
These are people who want me to buy a rack load of clothing and bring it to their office or home. They like the "hollywood star" treatment. Unfortunately I do not believe this is the best way to work with their image. So after once or twice, these people do not come back.
The above list may sound a little more negative than my typical client profile. It is not meant to be. It is just how some people function.
I challenge you to do the following: write down your typical client profile. Really analyze each characteristic. Look at your image, see if you are dressing your best to attract more of them. If you do not yet have a client profile, create one - imagine what your perfect client is like. Then dress to build rapport with them. If, for example, your clients dress in sloppy track pants and dirty t-shirts, please, do not copy them! Dress to build rapport with your clients requires you to dress a notch up - to project more professionalism. So, if you clients dress in the previously mentioned items, dress yourself in better cut track pants and t-shirts, clean ones, not dirty ones.
We cannot be everything to everyone. So focus your energies on what you know best - yourself - dress to reflect your highest potential, through which you will attract those who are like you and look up to you.
