The Importance of Making a Good First Impression
Research has shown that we make evaluations on someone in less than 30 seconds. This means that a first impression is not something to take lightly. If you make the wrong first impression with someone, then you are risking a rocky relationship with that person for a long time to come. Following are a few situations where it can be hard to change someone’s first impression of you.
1. At Work
Your boss and coworkers will quickly determine how much you are worth to the company and how much of a value you are to them. Because trust is so important at work, you will need to gain their trust from the moment they meet you. When you set the standard of being respectful and trustworthy it will be much harder to lose that level of respect. But if you start from a place of disrespect or no trust, then you are going to have to work much harder to gain any kind of appreciation from them at all.
For instance, if you meet a co-worker for the first time and you are rude, inconsiderate, and unhelpful, then that co-worker is going to form a negative first impression about you. They will instantly see you as someone they do not want to step up to bat for and help out, and this can cost you promotions and recommendations. Even if you attempt to change their first impression by being nice or working hard, you will most likely invoke their suspicions about your intention towards them and the company since they initially decided that you were someone they did not like.
2. First Date
The first date is to learn about the other person and whether or not you want to pursue something more with them. Most people go on many first dates and become very intuitive as to what kind of person they want to be around, and what kind of person they don’t want to be around, and they are not willing to settle for the latter.
If you make a bad impression on the first date, then your chances of getting a second date are slim to none because they will not want to waste any more of their time with you. And if you do get a second, third, and fourth date you are going to have to work really hard to convince them that you are not who they initially labeled you to be.
3. Meeting The Parents
Your partner’s parents have been anticipating your meeting. This is not your typical first impression. They have been thinking about what you might be like. They have been told what their child thinks you are like. And they have been worried that you are someone they won’t like, which will cause their child disappointment. There is a lot riding on this first impression. If they initially see you as someone who is not right for their child, then they may spend a lot of time trying to keep you at a distance in hopes that you may breakup soon. It can be an awful lot of work to get them to see you as a good choice for their child if you screw up the first impression.
In the end, it’s better to make a good first impression at work, on a first date, or with the parents. If you do, then you will have a harder time losing their respect or admiration. You can make a few mistakes on the second or third impression and still be liked by them. But if you make a negative first impression it can be a long and difficult journey to gain their respect and admiration.
Scared you are going to make a bad first impression? Then click here for 11 tips to make a great first impression with anyone!
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