1)    Powerful Tips to Make an Awesome First Impression:

 

First impressions are important. Everyone stereotypes everyone on first impression, even if we are reluctant to do it.

 

 We all get a first impression of a new person that creates a mental image of his or her personality in our minds.

 

 That image of you often lasts and can affect the relationship that follows.

 Another thing is that we often play different roles in relationships. With our parents we play one role, with friends another, with someone we are interested in/in love with a third, when shopping for clothes in a store a fourth. And so on.

 A good or great first impression can create a positive role in the minds of the new people we meet. When we meet them again, we are often drawn back into this role. Sometimes it happens almost unconsciously until you after a few minutes notice that you have fallen into your old role - like when you meet friends you haven't seen in years - in that dynamic once again. You may not always be drawn into that role. But if you do it sure is better to have a positive than a negative role saved for you.

 Here are some of the things I've learned about improving first impressions. Of course, different environments like business meetings with suits and ties or parties with colourful drinks come with different goals and expectations. So figure out what's appropriate and useful in each meeting.

 

 1. Don't think too much.

 

 First, perhaps the most important tip: don't think too much. This will help you let the conversation flow easily and you won't become self conscious and nervous. Try, as much as possible, to stay focused on the people you are talking to rather than focusing on yourself.

 

 2. Act as if you are meeting a good friend.

 

 If you just imagine that the person you will met/have just met and are talking to is one of your best friends you'll probably adjust unconsciously and start to smile, open up your body language to a very friendly and warm position and reduce any nervousness or weirdness in your tone of voice and body language. This technique is also a great help to stop over-thinking and it puts you in the present moment again. Don't overdo it though, you might not want to hug and kiss right away.

 The nice thing about this is that you may also start to feel positive feelings towards this new person, just as you do with your friend when you meet him/her. This is a pretty good starting point for getting them to reciprocate and for developing a good relationship.

 

3. Stand and sit up straight.

 

 Keeping a good but relaxed posture certainly improves on the impression one makes. Don't slouch. Sit or stand up straight.

 

 4. Be positive.

 

 Sometimes you can go in all positive in a first meeting. Sometimes it may not be the best approach to go in too positive as it can be seen as bit abrasive or feel like a bit too much for the other person. A better way to convey a positive attitude in a first meeting can then be to read the mood of person(s) before you start talking - by just watching them - and then match it for a short while. Then - when you have an emotional connection - you can let your positivity arise a bit more.

 Regardless if you start out positive from the get-go or a short while into the meeting, be sure to positive. If you, for instance, start a first meeting by complaining, there's a big chance the people you meet will mentally label you as a complainer or a negative person.

 

 5. Mentally rehearse before you even enter the room.

 

 Visualize how great the events will unfold - see and hear it - and also how great will you feel at this meeting.

 See yourself smiling, being positive, open and having a great time. See the excellent outcome in your mind. Then release by visualizing that it has already happened, that the meeting is over with the desired result. This is surprisingly effective and will get you into a great and relaxed mood before even stepping into the first, second or twentieth meeting.

 You may want to not think much at all (tip #1) or act as if you are meeting a good friend (tip #2) or use a positive mental rehearsal before a meeting. Try them all and see which one - or combination - that works best for you.

 

 6. The words you use to start the conversation with aren't always that important.

 

 As long as you use some of the tips above it will usually not really matter too much what word or phrase you use to start the conversation. The words are only 7 percent of your communication. 93 percent is in your tone of voice and your body language. Sure, those numbers - that comes from a study that psychologist Albert Mehrabian did - may not always be completely accurate in a conversation.

 But the point is; don't over-think things. A simple "Hi!" backed up by a relaxed and confident smile may do just fine. Copyright 2006-2011 Henrik Edberg

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2)    Story: Manage your appearance

A famous scholar was delivering the lecture to some people. He had pain in his knee joints so he was sitting on a chair as his audience was aware of this knee pain. After sometime a person in a nice suit and overall decent looking personality came and asked to join. The scholar didn't find it appropriate to continue delivering the lecture in sitting position so he stood up and continued his lecture. Though he had pain in the knees but he was patient thinking that the recently joined person is a noble, wise and educated personality.

  After a few moments, the person interrupted the scholar and asked, what is the time to take breakfast? The scholar wasn’t expecting this stupid question so he politely said, you can take any time in the morning you wake up. The person said, what if I wake up at 2 o'clock. The scholar thought that it’s time to sit on the chair again because his perception about the person was no more the same as it was some minutes ago :)

 The concept here is that your first looks matter a lot. The people you meet usually make the perception about your personality up to a degree of 70%. Although this story ended up as a disaster for the scholar however had this been the case that newly joined person didn’t speak, he would have made a great impression on the whole class !

 However, making a good impression doesn’t mean that you have to be in a costly tuxedo or a high end car; you can still make a good impression by being decent and simple. A neat appearance, a politely started conversation, a strong hand shake, a humble voice and a warm good-bye will increase your respect a lot regardless of your financial situation, your education level and your professional or business position.  Remember the fact that human psychology, most of the time, follows the standard mental paradigms and common sense logics; which simply means that a good appearance will make a good impression. If you understand this basic concept, you can make a great deal out of it in your day to day life.

 Having said that life is not about first impressions only. You need to meet same people again and again which means you need to have long term impression on others which requires you to demonstrate strong personality traits. This primarily involves your communication skills, your emotional and empathic skills and  consistent behavior.

 Always remember that your character is your real wealth and you must endeavor to improve this in every single aspect of your life. Below are some recommended articles in this context:

 How to develop Analytical Skills

How to manage when trapped in office

How to build trust for healthy relations
How to be organized

How to fight depression

 Article reference: 0060-mjunaidtahir-paradigmwisdom-071012-  Story: Manage your appearance for strong impression.

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