How to Make A Lasting First Impression

It has been said that most people size up others in the first 60 seconds. That's a sobering thought but an encouraging one as well. Anyone can keep his best foot forward for a minute. Here are some ways to ensure that your first impression will be positive and lasting.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Check your appearance first. The first thing people see is generally what they remember the longest. Look at yourself in a full length mirror. Do your clothes, belt, shoes, purse fit and match? Is your hair clean and neat? Now, all that said, the most important thing about appearances after looking good is looking appropriate. Does your appearance fit the situation, the season and the time of day? Business clothes for the office, wow lipstick at night, jogging clothes at the gym, and so on.
2. Stand up straight. Don't walk stiffly but stand with good posture and hold your head up. Looking at the floor portrays low self esteem. Walk as if you belong there, whether it's in that new job or that new woman's good graces. Confidence is the biggest selling point anyone can have. It speaks of self control, efficiency and intellect. Most people even find it makes others sexy. Many people have low self esteem. If you do, fake it till you make it and get your foot in the door to places and people where you can build it up.
3. Look great? Confident? Now, be on time. A latecomer for a job, a date or anything else will not be thought of in a good light. Making people wait is a great way of telling them that you don't think they're all that important. Be on time, not a minute late and not more than ten minutes early which can make you look too anxious which is not good, either.
4. Greet people with a warm handshake and make eye contact with them. Don't pump their hands to death-one simple shake is enough. Hold firmly but don't squeeze, especially not if the other person is much smaller or is an older person. Inflicting pain will not make a good impression!
5. Speak clearly. Think ahead about what you'd like to talk about. In social situations, ask lots of questions about the other person, speaking less and listening more. Really listen to the other person-catch especially their name. Nothing makes you look worse than forgetting someone's name that you just met. Remembering names is a great personal salesmanship tool. Those who do this well are always remembered themselves.
6. Keep a positive attitude. Talk about something pleasant. Dark subjects, deep subjects and really personal subjects are not for first meetings. Talk about jobs, school, sports, movies, hobbies, travel. Try to introduce a variety of subjects. Don't talk about your medical issues, your difficulties with other people, money, or your opinions about religion and politics. Be pleasant company and people will want to hear more.
7. Be yourself. The worst mistake we can make with others is to try so hard that we are being someone else. No one can keep that up and you will not come across as someone sincerely trying but as someone who is simply not sincere.
8. After all this advice, the next step will sound crazy but it is this: Try to relax--you'll come across as someone who can handle things--and someone who is easy to get along with. Who doesn't love a person who's easy to be around?

Tips & Warnings

• Don't underestimate how much your appearance matters in a first visit. It is the very first thing out there for others to size you up with.
• Smile.
• Don't cross your hands across your chest. You'll appear closed and unreachable.

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