Walk Like a Queen |
When you meet someone for the first time, the
other person forms an opinion about you based on your appearance, your
body language, your demeanor, your mannerisms, and how you are dressed.
With every new encounter, you are evaluated and yet another person's
impression of you is formed. These first impression can be nearly
impossible to reverse or undo, making those first encounters extremely
important, for they set the tone for all the
relationships that follows.
So, whether they are in your career or social life, unfortunately, first impressions mean everything. People often decide if they like someone or not within the first few minutes of meeting them. Our lives are so busy that people rarely have the time to truly get to know one another. Therefore, the image that you give off within the first five minutes is essential. One easy way to enhance your first impression is to be confident about yourself.
Use your body language to project appropriate confidence and
self-assurance. Stand tall, smile (of course), make eye contact,
greet with a firm handshake. All of this will help you project
confidence and encourage both you and the other person to feel better at
ease.
Almost everyone gets a little nervous when meeting someone for the
first time, which can lead to nervous habits or sweaty palms. By being
aware of your nervous habits, you can try to keep them in check. And
controlling a nervous jitter or a nervous laugh will give you confidence
and help the other person feel at ease.
As the saying goes, "Smile and the world smiles too." So
smiling is a winner when it comes to great first impressions. But don't
go overboard with this – people who take this too far can seem insincere
and smarmy, or can be seen to be "lightweights".
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It goes without saying that good manners and polite, attentive and courteous behavior help make a good first impression. In fact, anything less can ruin the one chance you have at making that first impression. So be on your best behavior!
One modern manner worth mentioning is "turn off your mobile phone." What first impression will you create if you are already speaking to someone other than the person you are meeting for the first time? Your new acquaintance deserves 100 percent of your attention. Anything less and you'll create a less than good first impression.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and so the "picture" you first present says much about you to the person you are meeting. Is your appearance saying the right things to help create the right first impression?
Start with the way you dress. What is the appropriate dress for the meeting or occasion? In a business setting, what is the appropriate business attire? Suit, blazer, casual? And ask yourself what the person you'll be meeting is likely to wear.
And what about your grooming? Clean and tidy appearance is appropriate for most business and social occasions. A good haircut or shave. Clean and tidy clothes. Neat and tidy make up. Make sure your grooming is appropriate and helps make you feel "the part". Never over do.
Appropriate dressing and grooming help make a good first impression and also help you feel "the part," and so feel more calm and confident. Add all of this up and you are well on your way to creating a good first impression.
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