How to Overcome a Bad First Impression
First impressions form the foundation from which all future thoughts about someone will be based. The importance placed on the first bits of information received tends to be greater than any information received later. Therefore, making a bad first impression is difficult to erase from someone's mind. However, with time, this can be overcome.
- Difficulty:
- Challenging
Instructions
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1
Apologize immediately. Trying to impress others by acting how you think they expect you to act is understandable; but being phony is unacceptable. Therefore, the first opportunity you have to explain your behavior, take it. Since the reasons why you act a certain way tells more about you than the way you act, explain your actions when apologizing for them.
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2
Be yourself. You may behave differently among co-workers than you do with close friends. Therefore, it can be intimidating feeling someone out for the first time. You may be more conscious of what you say, afraid of unknowingly disrespecting somebody by what you do, but being insincere is worse than saying nothing at all.
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3
Say what you mean and mean what you say. Differences of opinion make for interesting and informative conversations. So when asked if you agree or disagree with something, offer your honest opinion, but do so respectfully. Should a heated argument result from a difference of opinion, do not resort to personal attacks. Trying to take back something you said by saying you didn't mean it is even harder than trying to overcome a bad first impression.
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4
Remain positive. Thinking in the back of your head that someone dislikes you, or pressuring yourself to change someone's mind, is self-defeating behavior. Remind yourself that you cannot change what is in the past and allow yourself to move on. Forget the mistakes you made during the first meeting, and think of the second meeting as a clean slate.
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5
Be consistent. Over time, the relationship that started on a bad note should be more comfortable as long as you continue to be yourself. Although you can never change the story of when you first met, at least your actions can be explained as an aberration. After all, consistency of character is much more important than making a good first impression.
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Tips & Warnings
Putting too much importance on making a good first impression is counter-productive.
