Okay, I’ll admit it—I’m trolling with the title.
Obviously, there are more important things in life than having a tan. But stick with me, because the point behind it is something I take seriously:
When I think I look good, I perform better.
In business. In conversations. On camera. Everywhere.
My confidence has always been closely connected to how I feel about my appearance. Maybe it shouldn’t matter as much as it does, but I’m not going to bullshit you and pretend otherwise.
When I like what I see in the mirror, I stand taller, talk differently, and actually want to put myself out there.
And when I don’t? Everything feels a little harder.
When I’m Pale, Everything Suffers
When I get super pale, I think I look sickly. I don’t want to take pictures or be on camera, and I become more self-conscious about my appearance.
I’ve also noticed that when I’m at my palest, I seem to get more body acne across my shoulders, arms, and back. I don’t know why, and I’m not telling you tanning is an acne treatment. I’m just telling you what I’ve noticed with my own body.
Either way, when my skin looks like shit, my confidence takes a hit.
And confidence matters—especially when you’re part of the product you’re selling.
Looking Good Changes How You Show Up
Think about the last time you looked in the mirror and thought, Goddamn, I look good today.
Maybe you were leaner than usual. Maybe you had a fresh haircut. Maybe you bought a shirt that fit perfectly. Or maybe you’d just come back from somewhere tropical with a great tan.
You carry yourself differently.
You stand taller. Make more eye contact. You’re less hesitant when somebody pulls out a camera. You’re more likely to introduce yourself, start a conversation, or put yourself in situations where something good might happen.
That’s the part people underestimate.
Improving your appearance isn’t only about what other people think when they see you. It changes what you think about yourself.
And that changes your behavior.
Compliments Don’t Hurt Either
Have you ever come back from a beach trip with a golden tan and had people immediately notice?
It feels good.
Imagine running into somebody you haven’t seen in a few months. Which would you rather hear?
“Damn, man. Are you okay? You look really pale.”
Or:
“Did you go somewhere? You’re looking good, man.”
One makes you wonder what the hell is wrong with you. The other makes you stand a little taller.
And sometimes appearance starts conversations. Maybe somebody notices the tan, asks where you went, and five minutes later you’re talking about what you do for a living.
Does having a tan magically make you better at business?
Obviously not.
But looking good gets noticed. Getting noticed starts conversations. And when you are the face of your business, conversations can create opportunities.
Why I Tan
I love the beach, but I’m terrible at doing nothing.
I’ll lie there for a while, enjoy the ocean, and eventually start thinking about everything I could be getting done instead. Turning “I want some sun” into flights, hotels, restaurants, and several days away from my routine isn’t always appealing either.
That’s why I’ve used tanning beds. They’re convenient.
I’m also not going to pretend they’re healthy. UV tanning damages your skin and increases your risk of skin cancer. That’s the tradeoff.
I simply like how I look with some color. My muscles look more defined, my teeth look whiter by comparison, and I feel better about what I see in the mirror.
For me, that’s the appeal.
But this article isn’t really about tanning.
Confidence Is a Business Advantage
I don’t care whether you have a tan.
Maybe you feel your best when you’re lean. Maybe it’s putting on some muscle, getting a fresh haircut, wearing clothes that fit properly, fixing your teeth, improving your posture, or finally getting enough sleep that you don’t look half-dead.
Whatever it is, don’t automatically dismiss caring about your appearance as vanity.
Confidence affects behavior.
It affects how you walk into a room, how you speak, whether you make eye contact, whether you turn the camera on, whether you introduce yourself, and whether you have the balls to ask somebody for the sale.
And if you’re an entrepreneur—especially if you’re the face of your company—you’re part of the marketing whether you like it or not.
You don’t need perfect teeth, perfect hair, designer clothes, or six-pack abs.
Take care of what you can control.
The Real Point
So no, your tan isn’t the most important thing in the world.
Obviously.
But knowing what makes you feel confident is worth taking seriously.
Figure out what makes you look in the mirror and think:
“Damn, I look good.”
Then use it.
For me, having some color is part of that. For you, it might be something completely different.
The point isn’t to become obsessed with your appearance or convince strangers you’re better-looking than you really are.
It’s to recognize that when you feel good about the person staring back at you in the mirror, you tend to show up differently.
So get in shape. Take care of yourself. Dress well. Fix the haircut. Get some sleep.
And if having a little color makes you feel better about how you look, get some color—just understand the tradeoffs of how you do it.
Do whatever makes you feel confident. Then put that confidence to work.
Your man,
Uncle Blayde
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