First Impressions

It’s no secret that you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Success comes to those with integrity, those who are resourceful, and those who make a fabulous first impression!  Why???  Because first impressions count!  

Think about it for a minute.  Packaging is important, whether we're considering buying a house, a product or starting a new relationship. We think what looks attractive or reliable from the outside must definitely be on the inside. We judge books by their covers; we buy houses based upon curb appeal and we take people at face value. And they do the same to us!

I certainly agree that none of that seems fair.  People should be judged by their inner values and beliefs, but more often than not it’s the first impression that determines whether someone will stick around long enough for us to reveal those qualities.  Like it or not, it’s that first impression that determines our future.  People often judge whether or not they will like you as a friend, employee or co-worker.

A first impression happens quickly and this can be crucial if you happen to bump into the man or woman of your dreams. But how do you prepare for that moment? Unless you’re arranging your dates online or you’re being set up on a blind date, you don’t!

When we step into a room, people make subconscious decisions about us. Within the first thirty seconds, they've judged our educational levels, our social status and our levels of sophistication and success.  AND they're basing those decisions purely upon what they see (i.e. our wardrobe, hairstyle, smile and posture).  Within the first couple minutes (after we’ve had the opportunity to speak), they've made decisions about our honesty, kindness, dependability, intellect, humbleness and self-confidence.  

Impressions are based on gut feeling and emotion, not on rational thought or careful analysis.  We all have assumptions about almost every human trait imaginable: tall or short, heavy or thin, articulate or not, clean or dirty, well mannered or rude, organized or disorganized.  You name it, we assume it and whether we want to admit it or not, we all believe that one trait is preferable to the other.