William Hazlitt, the British Writer once said,” First Impressions are often the truest, as we find (not infrequently) to our cost, when we have been wheedled out of them by plausible professions or studied actions. A man's look is the work of years; it is stamped on his countenance by the events of his whole life, nay, more, by the hand of nature, and it is not to be got rid of easily.” The truth of the matter is that the first impression can actually play a pivotal role in the way a person perceives you or continue to perceive you in future. 

 

 

To say that the first impression is the last would perhaps be an exaggeration because like everything else, one can actually correct their mistake. However, one will have to make strong efforts and waste a lot of time, to be able to correct the mistake that they made in the first place.  Thus, it is best that a person takes much caution and lays much emphasis on making the first impression prim and proper. 

 

The question is- Why is the first impression so important? How does the first impression play an important role in creating an impression that can last for a very long time or for that matter, forever? The answer is simple. When we meet someone, we have never met before; they do not have any clue about who we are. Since they do not know us or have never met us before, they do not have absolutely any knowledge about the person that we are. So, they judge us on the basis of what they see and hear.  Everything else becomes secondary. The things that we say, the way in which we act and everything that indicates anything about our personality lays the foundation on which the other person builds an idea about our character or personality. 

 

 

Once the foundation has been made, it becomes very difficult to change it. Thus, the first impression is extremely important because it creates the granite foundation for the way in which people perceive us. It provides people with the glasses through which they see us. This is precisely the reason why people should make every effort to create a good first impression. 

 

How can one create a good first impression? Or, what are the things that a person should keep in mind when they go to meet someone important for the first time? To start with, one of the things to remember always is that a person’s state of mind can make a huge difference. If you are nervous and feeling unconfident about yourself, the chances are that you will be unable to present yourself well and smartly. Thus, before you walk in for your first meeting, make sure that you have done your homework well.

 

 

Prepare yourself mentally and physically so that you rebound with confidence and appeal. The second thing that is noticed about a person in the first meeting is the things that he says. What a person says reflects the way he thinks and the opinion he has on things. The words that come out of your mouth are a mirror to your personality. Thus, one should always take time and think twice before they say something that comes across as totally absurd, foolish or wrong. On your first meeting, keep your best manners, charms, confidence and intellect with you as they will help you a lot. 

 

How does creating the right first impression help a person in his corporate professional life? We live in an age where competition is not only high, it is cut throat. If you want to get ahead, you will have to present yourself as nothing but the very best. A good first impression will bring you out in the eyes of the top most important people and from there, you can work your way to the top through hard work and labor. The first impression will help you in establishing yourself as someone who can be trusted and is worthy of attention.

 

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One does not get a second chance to create a first impression. Everyone gets just a single chance and they have to make the best out of it. If you spoil your chance, you will have to work very hard and for a very long time to reconstruct your image. However, if you hit the bull’s eye in your first chance, it is quite likely that you will still be forgiven if you mess up once or twice. In profession life, a good first impression can open to doors to many other things. 

 

Thus, on your first meeting, make sure that you put your best step forward. Let people know that you understand what you are doing and that you mean business. Analyze everything twice in your mind before you say it out loud.

 

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