Treat Dating Like Shopping For a Successful Relationship

If you are good at shopping, you can navigate the world of dating with the same enjoyment and success. Follow these simple shopping tips, and you can have the relationship that you want!

Discover your own personal style.

Know thyself is the first and most important shopping tip. It is imperative that you know what clothing styles are most flattering and resonate with your uniqueness. No need to look for a personal stylist - a trusted friend will do. In Dr. Phil's book, Love Smart, he takes you through an exercise where you define what you are looking for in a partner, i.e., personality, social skills, relational style, spiritual compatibility and physical characteristics. Except you understand and befriend who you are and discern your season of life, he could pass you on the street and you'd never recognize him.

Locate the best places to shop.

The second shopping tip is location, location, location! Now that you are armed with self knowledge, you are ready to find stores that showcase your personal style. My pal, Dr. Phil calls this a target-rich environment ("where the boys are"). This is where you shop. Discontinue that nightclub, bar-hopping bargain basement shopping where the idea is to get something for nothing or to get something quick and in a hurry. You must be more discriminating and purposeful in your shopping.

A word of caution: Don't go to an event or locale purely to meet eligible men. The man is the hunter; you are merely shopping. A good friend of mine said "A man is just an accessory." And for most women, accessorizing is fun! In fact, men have said there is nothing more attractive than a woman enjoying herself. Therefore, choose hangouts, events or activities that you are genuinely interested in. Your enjoyment must resound from within.

Shop with the end in mind.