Fake it ‘til you make it. This is the advice given to jazz players for decades. Want to be a success? Start acting like one. Like attracts like. A big part of how I started to “make it” as a writer was by thinking of myself as a writer and acting the part. Sure, when I first started out, I was making chump change at no-name gigs. But it paid and I got better and better gigs as time went on, because I was acting the part. You want to be a success in business? Start acting like one. Here’s how.

Dress the Part

Not every millionaire has a lavish wardrobe. However, you can bet that many of them pay special attention to detail. You don’t have to be a millionaire to look sharp. You just need a few bucks to get your suits tailored. When you’re off-duty, you want things to look fitted to your body, not someone else’s. Read about what jean cuts look best on your body. Ditto on what types of shirts you can wear to hide things you’d like to keep on the down low and accentuate things you want everyone to know about.

If You’re Going to Smoke, Smoke Cigars

Confession: I’m a heavy smoker. Still, I can’t really disagree with the guy who told me that a cigarette nailed to your lip is a pretty clear indicator that you were raised in a trailer park. Now, it’s not that there’s anything wrong with that, but cigarette smoking is a pretty classless habit. If you’re going to smoke, smoke fine cigars. Leave the Marlboros behind.

I mean, whatever guys, I’m gonna keep smoking, but I’m not the one trying to act like a millionaire.

Eat Like a Million Bucks

Millionaires don’t eat garbage. In fact, healthy food has become a bit of a status symbol among the well-to-do. I’m not going to get into the politics of health food as a status symbol, but I will say this — McDonald’s might have been good enough for Bill Clinton when he was Governor of Arkansas, but I can’t imagine he’d be caught dead eating it now. Well, he’s vegan now, so of course he doesn’t eat it, but you get what I’m saying. Fewer things show a lack of class more than eating like you hate yourself.

Manners

Manners are kind of out of style, but not among the upper crust. If you get yourself a good, old-fashioned etiquette guide like Esquire Ettiquette you can learn what to do to be a gentleman in just about any situation. The book is about 60 years old and while some things have changed, the basics are still true today. Remember, gents, the classics never go out of style and this is especially true when it comes to manners.

Act Successful, Think Successful

Remember that success is more than just making your mark on the world. It’s a series of habits that make you successful. While none of these habits will make you successful on their own, they will get you thinking like a success more and more. Further, when you go into that big meeting to sell your big idea, you’re going to carry yourself with the poise and professionalism of a man who’s already made it. And as I said above — nothing attracts success quite like success.