5 Ways To Make a Stellar First Impression

They say first impressions are lasting impressions.. and it's true! Our first encounters last well beyond the original moment. They set the tone for later interactions and have a lasting effect on peoples perceptions of you. So what's the difference maker when it comes to standing out?

Body language! Believe it or not body language is the most powerful form of nonverbal communication we express. What's wild is typically we don't even think twice about it, meaning if we're not aware of it what are we saying? To give you a clear definition, body language are nonverbal signals we use to express our feelings, this includes our posture, facial expressions and hand gestures. Let's dive in on how we can improve.

1st is our posture. ( not me standing up straighter ) It’s important to have your back standing up straight with your shoulders lowered. Let’s take a deep breath in and out to really feel centered. Ahhhh. Studies show that sitting up straight improves your performance and makes you feel more calm, while slouching compresses the space to your lungs creating less oxygen to your brain. (It’s no wonder we feel bad when we do it!) I know it’s easy to slouch but let’s do our best to correct it when we catch ourselves. Your lungs will thank you later! 

2nd is making eye contact. Nothing says you’re more unsure of yourself than avoiding looking someone in the eye. Research shows people tied with low self esteem often avoid it and find it intimidating, while people who make eye contact appear trustworthy and respectful. I know locking eyes can feel uncomfortable, but I'm not asking you to wink at them! Just make sure you’re looking at the person you’re speaking with. The more you practice this the easier it will become. Oh and try not to start a staring contest either!

3rd is giving a firm handshake, no one like a floppy fish hand. It’s been proven that weak handshakes relate to insecurity and shyness. If you're meeting someone for the first time, try this move. Initiate the handshake and say “ Hi my name’s ( your name ) it's nice to meet you.” Then give them a firm squeeze, shake once, and voila! You not only were perceived as social and confident but you also showed them a sign of respect. 

4th is my favorite.. smiling. Show me those pearly whites!! However don’t scare me like a smiling zebra. ( please google that if you’ve never seen one ) According to psychology smiling has mood boosting effects on the brain. When we smile our brain releases serotonin which makes us feel happier. It also makes you more approachable. Quite frankly I’m more likely to talk to someone who is smiling than someone who looks like a sour puss!

5th is speaking. We need to make sure you’re speaking loud and clearly. I used to always mumble making it difficult for people to understand me. If others are asking you to constantly repeat yourself you either need to speak up or annunciate. ( Or they need hearing aids. Ha! ) I also recommend dropping filler words when we speak. Commonly used ones are uh, um, and like. Filler words are used when we don't know what to say next. Let’s expand our vocabulary and get those out of our mouth, we are mature speaking women!

If you made it to the end, congrats! You're well on your way to having thriving confidence. I hope this helps and these tips become a habit!




With love,
Cathy