Did you know that most people decide if they like you within the first 12 seconds of your meeting? Making a positive first impression is essential in life, whether it’s for an important job interview or a new romance. Here are 5 simple, sure-fire ways to make an excellent “first impression” on other people…
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Smile warmly. If you are concerned your smile might look forced or unnatural, try this exercise: Stand 6 inches away from the bathroom mirror and say “GREAT!” in your best comic voice. It’s guaranteed to crack an embracing grin. When you meet someone, think “GREAT!” and your easiest, natural smile will appear.
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Immediately focus on the person’s eye color. This will ensure you are making strong eye contact with the other person. Little or no eye contact can mean you have something to conceal or aren’t interested. Randomly break eye contact so a dominant “stare-down” effect doesn’t occur. This will keep the other person comfortable and will signal you are actively ready to listen to them.
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Keep your stance and body language open. Keep your arms uncrossed and your hands relaxed and in view. Folded arms and closed fists show rigidity, self-protection and potential challenge. Avoid standing sideways – aim your heart toward the heart of the person with whom you are talking.
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Mirror the other person’s body language and gestures. Here’s an old NLP (Neural Linguistic Programming) trick that really works! Many selfimprovement gurus have taught this technique in their expensive seminars. People have instant rapport with someone talking and acting similar to themselves. If someone speaks loudly and gestures with their hands to make a point, match their vocal volume and delivery accompanied by the same hand gestures. You can even “cool down” an angry person by mirroring, then leading them to get “in sync” with your calmer voice and relaxed body language.
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Begin conversations with open-ended questions. Use the classic “who, what , where , why and how?” as an opener to stimulate conversation. Starting with “do you?, have you? or are you?” can interrupt conversation flow with “yes-no” answers. In the course of speaking, take deep abdominal breaths to keep your voice in a lower, middle range. Your delivery will become more confident and self-assured.
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