What's Your First Impression?

That was the topic presented by Kimmer Sue at Monday's A Leg Up meeting.  I've talked about first impressions before, but Kimmer included a handout with her presentation.

She had us pair up in the group and write our first impressions of the person we were paired up with. If we'd already met the person, we were supposed to try to remember our impressions from when we first met.

On the back, she had this table sharing the things we often observe and what kind of first impression that may make on us.






She also included this guide:

 How to Create a Better First Impression

So, now that we know some of what drives first impressions and how important it is to make a positive one, here are a few suggestions for creating an effective first impression when meeting someone new:

1. Dress slightly better than the occasion warrants.
2. Make frequent eye contact, especially when speaking, but avoid dominating with
your eyes.
3. Smile (we search for smiles and notice them at great distances).
4. Think of the most positive feature of the other person (that will put you in a
pleasant frame of mind).
5. Adjust your voice, gestures, posture and words to the other person (remember, we
prefer people who are similar to us).
6. Give people the benefit of the doubt (i.e., remember the fundamental attribution
error).
7. Be confident in yourself and don’t try to be someone you’re not.
8. Express early those attributes you most want to convey.
9. First impressions are important, and as the saying goes, you only get one
opportunity to make one. But that’s no reason to fear them. Knowing and acting on
what is shown to work to create better first impressions will help you do just that.

Go out there and meet someone new and see what kind of first impression you can make on them.

Interesting days

Today - Forgive an Ex Day, Spreadsheet Day, Hagfish Day, Global Dignity Day, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Take Your Parents To Lunch Day, Wear Something Gaudy Day, Mulligan Day and Playing Card Collection Day

Tomorrow - Get Smart About Credit Day, Chocolate Cupcake Day, No Beard Day and Conflict Resolution Day

Next Wednesday - World Tripe Day, Bologna Day and United Nations Day

November 17 - Homemade Bread Day, Baklava Day, International Happy Gose Day, Take A Hike Day, Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week, World Prematurity Day, Unfriend Day and Petroleum Day