10 Ways to Show that You Have Got Your Life Figured Out

1. Suit up

There is nothing better that portrays seriousness than a man in suit and tie. If you are a woman, pick a 2-tone knee-length dress - nothing too dull and officer-like but one that is sufficiently fitting to show your curves. Wear or carry a blazer around to show that you are always prepared for an emergency client meeting or any circumstances as such. Of course, outfit itself is merely a basic step. To top up your appearance, always carry a calendar notebook and a Mont Blanc-resembling black pen (most probably from Papermate as you can't afford even the tip of Mont Blanc pen LOL). Put one on hold while you flip through your calendar which has been scribbled all over before confirming your availability for any date.

2. Start investing 

Property investment, stock exchange, mutual funds etc, you gotta have one of them! Or at least, start a new hobby of reading investment brochure so the next time someone asked you about stocks, you'll be able to brag about your knowledge on Twitter's IPO. Show the world you have an absolute control over your income and is farsighted in terms of financial planning. Not a risk taker? Buy an insurance. Place your money into FD. Heck, even buying designer bags is considered a good investment! Just make sure you go for durable calf skin products, not cheap canvas handbags like those that I own (as far as I could afford, sadly). Stick to the classic. After all, no one wants a seasonal item with the lifespan of a housefly. 

3. Drink coffee

Correction on my sentence earlier. If there is anything I enjoy more than reading a book on a peaceful Sunday afternoon, it is sipping a cup of hot latte at a cosy coffee place. Latte must be accompanied by unique coffee art for my album collection.

Go for an extra shot when needed. The need for caffeine indirectly tell others that you are an important person who have important tasks on hand and hence you need extra dosage of caffeine to reenergize.

4. Cook!

There is nothing more attractive than a man in apron.

Regardless which gender you are, being able to cook is definitely an additional point. Emphasize the importance of home-cooked food by pointing on the amount of MSG and oil when you eat out. Hair loss, weight gain, poor health, always put the blame on MSG. If possible, pretend to come out with your own recipe even if it tastes awful. What are the chances that people will borrow your recipe anyway? Even if they do and the food turned out like crap, it is their fault for not blessed with the natural culinary skills.

5. Be a career planner 

So it's been only 6 months since you graduated from uni and your CV is nothing longer than half a page. It doesn't matter, you can still be a career expert everyone looks up upon! Start giving career advice to your juniors and even your peers. Be equipped with basic knowledge and current issues of all industries eg. Which is the best investment bank in the country? Which among the big 4 accounting firms offer the best corporate finance job? Who is the developer working on the MRT project? What is the higher paying government firm? Which PR company has the best client etc etc. Be firm and certain when giving your opinion as this will show that you are confident and believe in what you speak of. Who else would emulate your carefully drawn out career plan if you yourself aren't even sure of it?

6. Know your cocktails

The next time you go on a Friday night out with fellow colleagues, order yourself a classic cocktail. Take no longer than 60 seconds to flip through the beverage menu before placing your order. Be it Sangria, Daiquiri or Sex on the Beach, always choose something you are familiar with. Better still, know the ingredients and offer to make your favourite cocktail for the next house party. You know the house party they have long discussed will forever be postponed or never happen. When the day comes, it's never too late to google for the procedure and go for a trial-and-error basis XD

If you are a man, always order something on the rock. Anything on the rock makes you cool and macho.

Beer is a no no. It simply shows how dull and cheapskate you are. Well unless the rest of the group insists on a tower. Just shut up and show off your cocktail knowledge the next time you hang out with a cooler gang.

7. Take your supplement

Vitamin C or probiotic or whatever (whatever because those 2 mentioned are the only supplement I take), Store your pills in a container separated into daily dosage to show that you are an organized and responsible person who takes health as priority. It is also an indicator to others that you are aware of your health condition and is taking steps to enhance it.

8. Read a book

No, text books and bible don’t count. Always have a novel wherever you go. Personally, I don’t believe in self-help so I always go for fiction. I used to read classical during high school (peer influence wtf) but soon I discovered that they are the most boring of all genres. Moved on to chick flicks later which I must say contributed significantly to the bimbotic person I am today LOL. Oh, and I must proudly announce that I had already finished all 7 of Harry Potter books last year (kinda late I know, used to think they were too thick so I didn’t want to read). Reading isn’t exactly Asian culture. If you want the easy way out, at least know a few famous authors like Dan Brown, Agatha Christie, Jodi Picoult, John Grisham and Sophie Kinsella (Confession of a shopaholic!!!). No Stephanie Meyer in the list since I don’t read Twilight. Pick up their books in the book store, skim through the summary and read the last page. There, you have just finished the entire book! Teehee. Of course, that is not what I usually do. There is nothing I enjoy more than reading a good book on a peaceful Sunday afternoon.

9. Be familiar with countries

Browse through Tripadvisor and memorize the famous tourist spots all across the globe. Just because you are too poor to travel to Europe doesn’t mean that you should be oblivious of the Lourve museum.

The next time someone brags about going to Paris, you are at least able to request him to bring back some Laduree macarons. As for countries you have been to, don’t forget the places you have been. “I know that restaurant along Hongdae street that serves the best Dak Galbi! I will send you the address for you to look it up on your next visit!”

10. Pick up a new language

If you are a Malaysian or Singaporean, Mandarin and Malay don’t count as new language. We are raised to be articulate in 3 languages that it’s no longer a big deal. However if you can speak an additional language (Japanese and Korean are the norm these days), not only potential employer, but people in general will be impressed.