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MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION

If you keep this particular strategy in mind, it will prevent a great deal of stress from occurring in your life. By making a good first impression, you won’t have to “undo” or reverse any negative first impressions someone has about you.

Like it or not, first impressions are very important. I’ve heard it said that people form their initial opinions of us in the first minute of contact. The reason it’s important to get off to a good start is that, once an opinion is formed, it’s difficult to alter. So, if people see you as unfriendly, disrespectful, or lacking good manners (even if you didn’t intend to come across that way), they will be unlikely to go out of their way to be nice or helpful to you, should that become necessary or desired. They might avoid you, talk behind your back, or share their negative feelings with others. In some instances, they might be downright mean or unfriendly to you. You’ve given them no reason to act otherwise. It’s those negative first impressions that contribute to the phrase, “I don’t know what it is about that person, but I don’t like him.”

On the other hand, if someone likes you right off the bat—if you make a good first impression—he or she is likely, at worst, to be neutral where you are concerned. In many instances, the person will go out of his way to be nice to you. That’s a highly leveraged way to make your life easier. In other words, a tiny bit of effort now equals a great deal of benefit from that point on.

When you get off to a good start, your positive impression tends to feed on itself. You’re nice, so the people you meet like you right away. They have a good feeling about you and think of you in positive terms. When they talk to you, your discussions will be about positive things. When they talk to others, and your name comes up, you’ll be discussed in a positive light. If you ever have questions, or a need a favor, those people have no reason whatsoever to avoid helping you or answering your questions.

One of the worst first impressions I ever made was when I was a teenager and was introduced to a neighbor. At the time I was being introduced, I was with a friend. The two of us were aloof and, in retrospect, a bit disrespectful. We weren’t horrible, but we were far from gracious. I made no eye contact and instead of saying, “It’s nice to meet you, sir,” I mumbled something under my breath.

Looking back, my failed first impression caused me a great deal of unnecessary hassle. That neighbor didn’t want much to do with me. He wouldn’t allow me into his yard, he complained about my dog a great deal, and he always seemed to be bothered by something I was doing. I’m relatively certain that, had I simply taken thirty seconds to be pleasant, respectful, and friendly, our relationship would have taken a different direction.

When you make a good first impression, not only are you doing the right thing by being gracious and sincere, but you are doing yourself an enormous favor as well. The tiniest amount of effort in this area will make your life easier and less stressful for the rest of your life.