Have you ever heard of the expression ‘The first impression is the lasting one?’ We have 7 seconds to leave a great first impression and after that, if the damage is done, there’s not a lot we can do to make things better.
In the first couple of seconds upon meeting somebody for the first time, we make a series of judgments and decisions about them, and more often than not we tend to stick with that impression whether it’s right or not.
When you see someone for the first time, subconsciously, you pay attention to all the aspects of their physical presence without even realizing it.
Everything from their body language to their clothes is being subjected to thorough scanning and after that, the impression is made. What’s done is done, and if you’ve made a terrible first impression changing it is very difficult.
However, in those 7 precious seconds, there are a lot of things that can be done to prevent a bad impression and that’s exactly what this post is about.
Have A Firm Handshake
Don’t be a man with a girl scout’s handshake.
The University of Alabama, in 2000, tested the handshakes of 112 individuals, and the conclusions they made should come as no surprise.
What they’ve found is that a firm handshake corresponded to personality traits that included extroversion and openness to new experiences, while individuals with a weak handshake were far more likely to show higher levels of shyness and anxiety.
Women generally had weaker handshakes than men, but women with a firm handshake were rated positively.
In both men and women, a firm handshake suggests a strong personality.
So, if you’re a grown man, anything weaker than a firm handshake is absolutely inadequate.
Dress To Impress
Whether we’d like to acknowledge it or not, one of the first things people notice about us is our style.
Everything from head to toes is being thoroughly scanned and within a matter of seconds, the judgment is being made.
I know that they say “don’t judge a man by his clothes” but everyone does it, at least on a subconscious level, and if you want to leave a good impression you have to make sure that your style is on point every time you leave the house.
That’s just the way it is.
Smell Amazing
If you smell amazing you’ll have to work way less to make a fantastic first impression than a man who doesn’t wear a fragrance.
A great fragrance is one of the most powerful tools we men have at our disposal that, if used properly, has the potential to vastly improve the image other people hold about us.
Be On-Time
There are not that many things that send such a powerful message about someone as not being on time. Nobody has to put up with you being late.
Even you don’t like when someone leaves you waiting.
Always show people that you are a responsible man, don’t make them wait.
Show them that you respect their time, and even more importantly, show them that you value your own.
Have An Open Body Language
There are a lot of elements of open body language, but I’m going to point out some which I believe to be the most important.
When it comes to the body, there’s no need to overcomplicate things, just don’t cross your arms and your feet and you’re good.
But when it comes to the face, there are a few more important factors that contribute to open body language.
Smiling, nodding, keeping your eyes wide open, slightly raised eyebrows, face turned towards the person you’re talking to are all great signs of an open body language.
Be Confident
Being unconfident, especially upon meeting someone for the first time, projects a strong image, and lets them make a series of judgments about you in a split second.
Men who suffer from low confidence usually don’t make a good first impression. That’s mostly because having a poor self-image is not particularly attractive and puts you in the “easily forgettable” category.
Men who suffer from low self-esteem usually seem very shy, quiet and reserved, which doesn’t leave much room for people to get a hold of something that stands out about them.
The byproduct of low self-confidence is not necessarily a bad first impression, but rather a mediocre one.
Speak clearly and boldly express yourself, and the impression people have of you will vastly improve.
Keep Eye Contact
Being able to maintain eye contact is an unavoidable aspect of high self-esteem.
Not being comfortable enough to look someone in the eye while talking to them raises a bunch of red flags, and is a certain sigh that you won’t leave a good first impression.
Now, don’t be a creep and don’t stare at people to the point where it’s uncomfortable, but when someone is talking to you, look them in the eye.
Avoid avoiding eve contact.
Be Polite
Being rude is unacceptable in many social situations, but if you want to leave a good impression on someone it is absolutely forbidden.
“Why would I be rude to someone if I don’t even know them?”, you might ask.
Sometimes we may come off as rude even though that’s not what we intended at all.
All I’m saying is always make an effort to be polite when meeting new people.
Be Interesting
This one is the easiest and the hardest one at the same time.
All you have to do for other people to think of you as more interesting is to actually become more interesting.
How to do that?
Just do interesting shit more often.
Be Interested
Ask meaningful questions, and keep the conversation flowing.
Become really interested and listen, truly listen to what people are saying.
Being honestly interested in what people are saying is so uncommon and so very appealing that no one can stay immune to the skills of a truly great listener.
Become one.
