When I have an interview or have a special engagement, I like to wear my black wool suit. It makes me feel classy, sharp and executive. But I’m not the only one who has symbol that orients them to a winning or power mindset.

Albert Einstein and His Leather Jacket

Albert Einstein, the famous theoretical physicist, often wore a leather jacket. This jacket became a symbol of his intellectual persona and provided him with a sense of comfort and familiarity. Wearing the jacket helped him feel prepared and focused, whether he was working on his theories or giving lectures.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Her Dissent Collar

The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had a special collar she wore when she dissented from a Supreme Court decision. This dissent collar became a symbol of her strength, resilience, and dedication to justice. Wearing it helped her mentally prepare to stand firm in her beliefs and articulate her opposing views with conviction.

David and His Sling

In the bible, David, before becoming king, used a simple sling as his weapon when he faced Goliath, the giant Philistine warrior. The sling and the five smooth stones he chose symbolized his faith in God and his trust that God would deliver him from his enemies. This symbol helped David maintain his courage and determination, leading to his remarkable victory over Goliath.

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head.”

1 Samuel 17:45-46, NIV

What is your ‘black suit’? What symbolic attire or tool do you use, or could you use, to help orient your mind and posture for presenting your best self?