Living like a Gentleman Spy means looking the part.

Strive to always be one of the better dressed men in the room, even if you’re just lounging around at home. Your appearance reflects how you see yourself, which affects your performance in every other aspect of your life.

One of the easiest — and most productive — ways to do this is to adopt a daily uniform.

For Ian Fleming's literary James Bond, that meant a lightweight navy suit, white shirt, black moccasins, and Rolex watch. Almost anytime you would see 007, this is what he would be wearing.

Wearing a uniform isn't just for 007, of course. Presidents, CEO's, billionaires, and style icons all benefit from wearing a uniform.

Almost every head of state — Presidents, Prime Ministers, Kings — wears some type of uniform, usually a suit and tie with very little variation.
Steve Jobs was known for his black turtleneck and New Balance sneakers.
Mark Zuckerberg wears the same gray t-shirt or hoodie every day.
Michael Kors wears a black t-shirt and blazer.
Tom Ford wears a dark suit, white shirt, and boots.

Psychologists understand that people are only able to make a set number of real decisions every day. For the most powerful and productive people in the world, making menial decisions like what to wear or eat each day is an unnecessary distraction from making decisions that really matter.

“You’ll see I wear only gray or blue suits. I’m trying to pare down decisions. I don’t want to make decisions about what I’m eating or wearing. Because I have too many other decisions to make.” ~President Barack Obama

When you standardize on a daily uniform, this is a decision that you only have to make once. You will perfect "your look," then simply don your uniform every morning.

Note that while many lists — including the one above — mention guys like Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg and their very laid-back looks, that doesn't have to be the case. Nobody would say that Tom Ford is anything but stylish, and he still makes use of a uniform so that he can look and perform his best every day.

You will simplify your life and guarantee you always look your best by doing the same.

Your lifestyle will dictate the uniform(s) you select, but for most men, you should probably standardize on one or two of the following:

• Navy blue or charcoal gray
• Single breasted
• Notch lapel
• Flat front trousers
• White or light blue dress shirt
• Black oxfords with matching belt (alternatively, dress boots, monk straps, or loafers)

• Blazer or sport coat (optional)
• Dress Shirt
• Slacks or Chinos
• Dress shoes or boots with matching belt

• Odd jacket (optional)
• Polo or button-down shirt
• Chinos or dark jeans
• Boots, boat shoes, moccasins, or otherwise casual shoes and matching belt (no athletic shoes or flip-flops)

• Solid t-shirt
• Jeans
• Boots, boat shoes, moccasins, or canvas sneakers with a matching belt (no athletic shoes or flip-flops)

You can dress the suit and the business casual look up or down by adding or subtracting a tie and buttoning or unbuttoning the collar.

As you progress through the Gentleman Spy program, keep an eye towards refining your daily uniform.

This is an aspect of your life that, after working through it once, will benefit you every single day for the rest of your life.

Look good. Be good.