Five Simple Things to Help You Make a Good First Impression

There is that saying that goes "you never get a second chance to make a good first impression". First impressions are important irrespective of the environment, as they are sometimes cemented in the memory of others and hard to change even with the best of efforts. Some people find that they struggle to make the best first impression. If that's you, here are five simple ways you can fix it:

The way you dress: You've probably heard the saying you will be addressed based on how you are dressed. But I bet you haven't heard that the way you are dressed can cause you to be completely ignored. I learned very quickly when I started to speak in public forums that people tend to listen to you more if you are properly dressed. Now, properly dressed does not mean you have to put on the most expensive items you can buy or adorn yourself with so much jewelry, people are blinded as you emerge. To be properly dressed means to be simple, yet suave and elegant. Make sure your clothes are clean, well-ironed and even your shoes are nice and shiny. 

Beware of the First Impression Trap

The first impression is a trap many people unknowingly walk into, and can't get out of. The first impression like many people say is either a deal breaker or a deal maker. It can set the course for professional, physical or deeply emotional relationships. It can set the stage for how a person treats you as an individual. It is more or less the foundation on which many relationships are either built or ignored. A bad first impression can really make you want to run in the opposite direction. A good first impression is magnetic, and can make you dreamily hope for a phone call or a text, perhaps even an email. A good first impression can also be a trap. 

For so many people, decisions are made based on first impressions. Many women make a decision to date a man based on the first impression they have of him. They make a decision to date based on a good first impression. And really, there is nothing wrong with being drawn to a person based on an amazing first meeting, however making decisions based on the first impression can be very tricky. Many men fall into this trap too, and start singing a different song a few months into the relationship. The songs may differ between sexes; however the chorus is always the same - "He/she is not who I thought she would be".

You're probably wondering why people spend their energy complaining about how much a person has changed when they can just leave. That's because a decision based on a good first impression is hard to reverse when the person's true character starts to show through the cracks. A decision based on a good first impression often results in you hoping that person will change and become the person you had an encounter with when you first met. A decision based on a good first impression means you're making a decision to date a person without first getting to know who that person really is. 

The first impression is a trap that can draw you in, but be sure to first assess a person's character before you start to think you've found the one. Be sure to spend enough time with a person before you make up your mind on whether or not you want to go into a relationship. XOXO

Learn to Make the Right First Impression

First impression is probably the most important concept in life that is mostly overlooked by many of us. Fortunately for some people, they don't have to try hard to make the right first impression; they are naturally suave, able to engage in conversations easily and are just able to magnetize others. Some people on the other hand fall flat on their faces the moment they meet someone for the first time. Having completed my masters degree, I have been attending a number of networking sessions and picking up tips that have worked for myself and others, and some factors that just destroy the vital first impression factor.

Here are some tips you may find useful:

Your Appearance is Key: When I was young, I read a statement somewhere that said "when you stand to speak before people, they look at how you are dressed. If they like what they see, they'll listen". These days, so many of us are careless about the way we look. We go out to tattoo our faces, pierce our eyebrows, tongues and all sorts of body decor that may be attractive to our friends, but will scare away potential employers or sponsors. Your appearance is very important if you intend to make the right first impression. Torn jeans, dirty sneakers, baggy tshirts and the likes are perfect for a ball game in the park with the neighborhood kids, not for meetings, interviews or presentations. For ladies, make sure your hair (natural or otherwise) is neat and tidy, don't over-do the makeup, and wear clothes that are stylish, yet conservative.