First Impressions Aren't That Important

I disagree with the old saying, "You only get one chance to make a great first impression." You've probably heard that first impressions are critical in your business and personal relationships. They say that people hold on to their first impressions of you, and that they can't be changed. This philosophy may have worked in yesteryear when you met only a few people, but not today. It assumes that people have the time to memorize, file and track their first impression of you. It assumes they hold on to it fiercely. In some cases this may be true, but most of the time, you are simply not that important to them! Like you, they are focused on their own lives, their own perspectives. You probably interface with hundreds of people each month. Do you remember your impression of each of them? Probably not. This is good news! Maybe you blew it the first time you met someone. You don't have to base the future of your relationship on the first impression you made. You have opportunities with every encounter to modify the person's view of you. Act as if you were given a second chance to make that first impression. If you become complacent, you'll end up like most divorced couples - their first impressions of each other have certainly changed! Whether you are dealing with an important business client or your spouse or children, take more opportunities to reestablish the impression you want them to have of you. Communicate it with your words, with the tone of your voice, and especially with your body language. You'll find that people will respond, and reciprocate. Your relationships will improve.