Did you know that it takes less than 150 milliseconds for someone to form a first impression? Humans are wired to process verbal and non-verbal cues very fast and reach to a conclusion. What you do in the first 150 milliseconds of meeting someone for the first time, matters the most if you are trying to make an ever-lasting first impression.
First impressions play a significant role in your life because humans make up their minds about a person they meet for the first time in a matter of a few seconds. A very famous phrase, “the first impression is the last impression” might be true to some extent.
Many people end up in awkward situations by making some very silly mistakes. Concerned about making a positively powerful first impression? You need to avoid these mistakes that can completely ruin your first impression!
Not Making Eye Contact
When you are meeting someone new, remember that your eyes are the windows to your soul. When you avoid making eye contact with the person, you are talking; you are not allowing the other person to connect with you. Eyes are expressive, and it helps a person conclude you.
People find it hard to read the intentions of someone they are talking to if they do not make eye contact. In addition to this, it gives the impression that you are weak, and they have the power to dominate you. Eye contact helps in building trust among two people. Maintaining eye contact stops you from looking anywhere below the person’s neck. If your eyes go anywhere below the person’s neck, it gives an impression that you are checking them out.
Remember that there is a difference between making eye contact an staring. Staring is creepy and can make the other person uncomfortable.
Bad Body Language
Body language plays an essential role when it comes to first impressions. People tend to judge a person by their body language as it tells them a lot about you. There are two categories of body language. The first one is high-power, which governs all postures that showcase an open and tension-free mind. The second type is low-power, which makes a person appear as defensive and anxious.
The way you shake the hand of the other person tells them a lot about you. When you shake the other person’s hand, and only 2 to 3 fingers touch their hand, it can imply hundreds of negative things. Shaking the other person’s hand strongly displays confidence, which is important in first impressions.
Poor Appearance
Yes, we know clothes do not make the person, but you cannot change the way humans think. Majority of people make their judgments just by analyzing their appearance. These judgments, made from the appearance, are mostly not accurate, but this is how the human brain functions.
Appearance has a huge impact on what people think about you. A person who has never met you before will start making judgments about you, the moment you enter the room. Therefore, why give a chance to let them think wrongly of you when you certainly are not that bad.
Criticizing and Judging Other People
Do you know what the worst way of starting a conversation with a new person is? Gossiping or criticizing others. If you make disparaging remarks about someone in front of a person who has just met, you will put a very bad first impression on them.
If people see you talk badly about others or passing critical judgments, they will think that at some point, you will talk about them in the same manner. It alerts them, and they make all the efforts to get away from you. Gossiping is not something you should get into with someone new because it will scare them away.
Continuously Interrupting Others
Nobody likes being interrupted, so you should not be the one to interrupt. When someone is stating something you do not agree with or are talking about something you have strong views about, you get an urge to speak up. Need honest advice? Never do that. Interrupting is the perfect way to make someone dislike you immediately.
Getting interrupted continuously frustrates every person and even make them feel defensive. Make sure you wait for your turn to speak and do not chase away the people by interrupting them.
The Smell
Every person once in their lifetime comes across someone who smells bad or smells like a bottle of cologne. People avoid talking to someone who smells bad or has used an excessive amount of cologne and perfume.
Never underestimate body odor; it can really damage your first impression. Make sure you regularly use a fragrance, but that too in a limit because too much fragrance makes it difficult for people to stand too close or keep talking to you.
Having No Sense of Humor or Not Saying Anything
A lot of people are so determined to make a good first impression that they miss out on one of the essential parts of a conversation, that is humor. Humor, in the majority of the cases, is a great way to impress someone. People actually like individuals who are good at making good jokes.
Also, staying reserved and quiet throughout the conversation is a big no when it comes to making a good first impression! Therefore, prepare yourself to share some of your life stories and give it a touch of humor to make it enjoyable!
These are the most common first impression mistakes that people make, but there are plenty of more that people overlook. Some other ways you can lose at the first impression game is forgetting names, even though its an innocent mistake it can badly affect your first impression. Being unable to hide nervousness, not listening well, and even heavy sweating are some ways that can be a let down for many people.
Unfortunately, you cannot, in the majority of the cases, fix your first impression. Therefore, try to ace it in the first try by avoiding these deadly first impression mistakes. Impress the world with your personality and do not let these silly mistakes intervene!