If you want to have a high level of success in life – whether it’s in social or workplace situations – one of the best things you can do is ensure that you always make a great first impression when you meet people. It’s very simple. If people like you at first glance, HR representatives will remember you after job interviews. You’ll find it easier to interact with others in the workplace. When there’s a disagreement, people will be more likely to see things your way. You’ll even find it easier to get dates.
When you see other people enjoying the type of success that you’d like to have, it’s easy to chalk their success up to charisma. “Some people just have it,” you might think. The truth, however, is that making a great first impression actually has little to do with natural charisma and much more to do with preparedness and a positive attitude.
Do these things, and you’ll have no trouble making a great first impression wherever you go.
Quit Smoking
If you smoke cigarettes, you’re already very aware that tobacco use is harmful to your health. Have you ever considered, though, how terrible smoking is for your self-esteem? Let’s suppose, for instance, that you go out for a cigarette break while you’re at work. What’s the first thing that you do after coming back inside? You probably wash your hands. Maybe you even apply perfume and chew a piece of gum. You do all of those things in an effort to remove the smell of smoke from your skin, hair and clothes. You know, however, that the effort is futile and that some people are going to avoid being in close proximity to you because they can’t stand the smell of smoke. In short, smelling like cigarettes is a terrible way to make a good first impression.
There’s a good chance that you’ve tried to quit smoking before and that the attempt wasn’t successful. If that’s the case, you probably didn’t try a vaping device from a company like V2 Cigs UK because vaping is infinitely more satisfying than any other form of nicotine replacement could ever be. Vaping replaces the nicotine that you get from smoking, and the best part is that it doesn’t make you smell bad. Making the switch will instantly improve your self-esteem – and feeling good about yourself is one of the best ways to make a great first impression wherever you go.
Smile and Use Open Body Language
Body language is the unspoken way in which we all communicate with one another through our facial expressions and body movements. People detect and respond to positive or negative body language on a subconscious level. If people feel as though you welcome their company and want to be around them, they’re going to respond to you in a positive way – and the best way to make people feel comfortable around you from the start is by using open, positive body language.
Good examples of positive body language include smiling, standing upright and holding your arms in an open position. It’s also good to move your arms and hands expressively to convey your interest in the conversation. Examples of negative body language include looking away from others, crossing your arms and fidgeting or tapping your toes. When speaking with others, the last thing you want to do is give them the impression that there’s somewhere else you’d rather be.
Project an Outward Image of Confidence and Composure
Have you ever felt envious of friends or coworkers who appear to be more charismatic than you? If so, maybe you’ve concluded that those people get all the hot dates or opportunities for job advancement because they’re better looking than you are. The thing is, though, that even the most attractive people often aren’t as confident about their looks as you think they are. Everyone has things about themselves that they’d like to change. Projecting an outward image of confidence can make an enormous difference in the way others see you.
So, what can you do to make sure that others will see you as a person who is confident and composed? Here are a few helpful pointers to get you started.
- Practice good hygiene and grooming habits. Don’t let your fingernails become dirty or overgrown. Groom your facial hair or shave it off. Don’t wear stained clothing.
- Keep your home and car clean. The way in which you maintain your personal environment will extend to the way you maintain yourself.
- Wear clothes that fit properly. Having your work clothes professionally tailored can make an enormous difference in the way you look, and tailoring services are often surprisingly affordable.
Be an Active Listener
On average, people generally enjoy talking more than listening – and you can use that fact to your advantage if you want to make a great first impression when speaking to someone. The first part of being an active listener is making eye contact. If you’re constantly glancing around while someone is talking, you’re going to give that person the impression that you’re distracted, uninterested or simply waiting for your turn to talk. Try to find a balance between not glancing constantly around the room and not staring at the other person.
Another aspect of being an active listener is showing the other person that you’re interested in what he or she is saying. Suppose, for instance, that the person with whom you’re speaking wants to share a story about something they experienced in the past. We all love talking about ourselves, so your natural reaction might be to tell that person about something similar that happened to you. That, however, isn’t being an active listener – that’s just waiting for your turn to talk. Instead, choose an interesting detail from the story you’ve just heard and ask a question about it that encourages the other person to tell you more. That’s an excellent way to show that you’re really paying attention and that you’re interested in what the other person has to say.
