11 Daily Habits That Give Highly Polished People A Huge Advantage Over Everyone Else
Being polished is a state of mind based on self-worth.
Krakenimages.com | Shutterstock Being polished has way less to do with how you look and more to do with how you hold yourself in the world, although these people tend to look great at all times, even when they're dressed casually. Being polished is about the vibes you give off and the way you set people around you at ease.
The daily habits that give highly polished people a huge advantage over everyone else are something anyone can learn, with some practice and a lot of shine. Because the journey towards being a polished person is one that relies on true self-acceptance, and loving ourselves for exactly who we are.
Here are 11 daily habits that give highly polished people a huge advantage over everyone else
1. They start and end their day with a set routine
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Whether it's a six-step skincare routine or a cup of coffee while reading the headlines, polished people know that starting and ending the day with a ritual is a highly grounding and affirming act of self-love. According to psychologist Debbie Sorensen, a relaxing (and offline) morning routine helps you start the day on the right foot and keeps your stress levels in check, making you feel and appear more polished as opposed to frazzled.
To feel centered, try doing something that brings you joy to jumpstart and peace to wind down. Maybe that means taking a few moments to meditate, listening to a relaxing song, or having a cold shower. Whatever it is, the point is to work it into your everyday life so it becomes a routine you stick to.
2. They dress for success, however they define it
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When people dress for success, it means they present themselves in a way that not only projects them as professional, but confident as well. Polished people want to make a good first impression where they feel good in their skin and let their style speak for itself. A person can be just as polished in a three-piece suit as they can be in a sweatsuit.
It doesn't matter if your look is dapper or way dressed down — putting that extra bit of care into your self-expression speaks volumes. It lets people know that you're someone they want to be around, while giving yourself a nice confidence boost as well.
3. They practice great self-care
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One of the essential daily habits that give highly polished people a huge advantage over everyone else is practicing self-care. These people prioritize taking care of themselves in the best ways possible, and truly understand the benefits it can bring them every single day. Whether it's making home-cooked meals or doing a daily skincare routine, they want to feel their best at all times.
Because self-care has been linked to improved mental health — including boosted self-esteem and optimism, and lowered anxiety — polished people take care of themselves in ways that let them feel wholly good about who they are, inside and out.
4. They live a balanced lifestyle
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Finding a middle ground between indulgence and a strict schedule is something polished people thrive at. They know that sometimes, ice cream for dinner is the best thing they can do for themselves. Other times, it might be sunrise yoga or a walk through nature with a friend. The point is to prioritize balance.
"Self-care in the form of fun is just as important as anything else we do to take care of ourselves," industrial psychologist Laura Pendergrass revealed. "We recognize the importance of recess for kids and build it into their school time, but we forget the importance of play as adults."
Because they live a balanced lifestyle, polished people are flexible, and they listen to their intuition about what they need at any given moment.
5. They work at being confident
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A polished person knows there's truth behind the age-old adage, "fake it 'til you make it." Confidence is more than how you present yourself to others, it's how you feel about yourself at your core. As influencer Spencer Barbosa described it, self-confidence is about believing in yourself and validating your own self-worth, rather than relying on others to validate you from the outside.
"You do not need to be perfect to be confident," Barbosa noted. She spoke to the fact that no amount of makeup or designer clothes change who you are on the inside, adding, "If you do not love and appreciate the skills that you have and what you bring to the table, you can't fully be confident."
6. They build up their communities
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Polished people have a strong sense of community and center their hearts to making things better for everyone. They'll be the first ones to reach out to people they haven't heard from in a while, whether it's neighbors or close friends. They're a stable and warm presence in the lives of those they care about. Friendships and other intimate relationships take precedence for them.
Because polished people are all about helping others thrive, they do what they can to contribute. It might mean doing a volunteer clean up along the highway, supporting local businesses, or even becoming a mentor. No matter what, they lead with kindness and compassion, and put others before themselves.
7. They lead with compassion
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Empathy is a trait that seems to be sorely lacking in our world, yet a polished person knows that kindness is the best way to relate to those around them, and this can even lead them to be faster learners. A 2016 study published in PNAS found that empathetic people are faster at learning new tasks when that task has the opportunity to help others, which is why polished people may always seem like they know exactly what they're doing at all times.
Compassion isn't just one of the daily habits that give highly polished people a huge advantage over everyone else, it's a way of life for them. Every action they take or word they speak is empathetic, which makes them an incredible source of support, especially in times of need.
8. They meet people where they're at
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Being non-judgmental is a crucial aspect of being polished. These people hold space for the emotions, behaviors and experiences of others, and never hold anything against them. Rather than judging people for their differing opinions or personalities, polished individuals prefer authenticity above all else, even during difficult times.
As one study published in Personality and Individual Differences found, people who are judgmental about their own thoughts and feelings aren't as well-adjusted as those who practice self-acceptance. Being non-judgmental also goes hand-in-hand with being empathetic. And while curbing judgment isn't always easy, it allows for people to relate to others and give them grace to be imperfect.
9. They mean what they say
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Polished people maintain clear communication with the people in their lives. They mean what they say and they say what they mean, and it's one of the many daily habits that give highly polished people a huge advantage over everyone else. Breaking a promise just isn't in their nature, and they are incredibly reliable to a fault.
Polished people set clearly defined boundaries and stick to them because they know that creating boundaries is a pathway to loving themselves and others in the best ways possible. They care about the people they engage with, and their communication style proves it.
10. They put in the work and reap the rewards
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It might seem like polished people are effortlessly good at what they do, but make no mistake — they work hard. No matter what their occupation is, they put their all into their job or career, but are also sure to prioritize a healthy work-life balance. Even outside the workplace, they put their best foot forward in every situation, with the intention to work hard for the rewards.
A polished person knows that the only way out is through, no matter what their goal is. As psychologist Jennifer Kunst, PhD explained, "Hard work grows the mind. We become stronger mentally and emotionally when we are challenged to reach beyond our limits... We may idealize an easy life, but in reality it is of little use to us, even if it were possible. We grow to feel more capable when we do difficult things, when we face life's challenges rather than run away from them."
11. They prioritize rest
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Even though polished people grind when they have to, they also rest when they feel run down. So many people feel guilty for carving out necessary space to refuel, but polished people know that you can't pour from an empty cup. Instead of driving themselves to burnout, they rest when they need to, which doesn't necessarily mean physically laying down and sleeping.
Licensed mental health counselor Robin D. Stone revealed that there are other ways people can rest to replenish, which can include walking in nature, meditating, writing a reflection, turning off the phone, or simply taking a day off from work. Whatever it is they choose to do, polished people put their mental and physical health first.
Alexandra Blogier, MFA, is a writer who covers psychology, social issues, relationships, self-help topics, and human interest stories.
