It does not take too long before an impression is formed about you. Whether at work or your social life, first impressions can affect the way people think about you from the way you look, your choice of clothes, to the way you move or talk. All of these factors can determine future relationships with those you encounter. Unfortunately, judgments formed are not always fair. You may be lucky that some people want to get to know you even more and discover a better person than what they thought you were. On the other hand, formed opinions may linger longer, whether negative or positive.
Why take a chance? You can create a great first impression by following a few suggestions.
Be confident about yourself
Your body language speaks a lot about you. If you feel good about yourself and you know that you look great, you can stand tall and be proud. Make an effort to look nice with just the right amount of makeup and your hair in place. Keep your skin glowing by following a good skin regimen and using excellent skincare products like those from SkinCeuticals. Flash a winning smile even if you are a bit nervous as it makes you look confident. More often than not, this comes naturally from practice.
Wear the appropriate attire
Your choice of clothes speaks a lot about the kind of person you are. Choose the proper attire for the occasion. Try to avoid being flashy. Stay simple, but fashionable. Make sure that your clothes are properly pressed and neat. If you are planning to wear open-toed sandals, your toes have to be clean and well-manicured. Dirty toenails are a huge turn-off.
Be punctual
Learn how to arrive on the appointed schedule. Delays, unless for real emergencies, do not make a good impression. It is a sign of rudeness that you are uncaring about the value of other people’s time and are only concerned about your convenience. This could turn out to be extremely dangerous for business organisations because time is the biggest asset for most of the successful business entities all across the world. Punctuality shows professionalism and respect for others. You also earn the same respect if you know how to give it.
Practice good manners
Proper manners must be practiced anywhere. Greet people with a firm handshake and make them feel that you are pleased to meet them. If you are holding a conversation, keep your attention to who you are talking to. It makes you more legitimate and the person feel that he/she your complete attention. Avoid getting distracted as this can be quite annoying to the other person who might sense disinterest on your part.
Always make eye contact when speaking to someone so that they know that you are interested in what they have to say and that you are sincere with how you communicate. This makes the conversation interesting and worthy.
First impressions last. That is a fact. You may not have another chance to change it. Ensure that you create a favorable one wherever you go. No matter what others say, it is essential to develop good connections with others. By working on creating an excellent first impression, you give yourself more opportunities to succeed in life and form better relationships with people around you.