First Impressions - Social, Business, Boardroom

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First Impressions

Social, Business, Boardroom

NATALIE LOGAN

Rags to Riches Entertainment Group

An imprint of Aauvi House Publishing Group

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Published by Aauvi House Publishing Group at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Natalie Logan

All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

E-ISBN: Smashwords Edition

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Aauvi House books may be purchased for educational, business, or sales promotional use. Online editions are also available. For more information, contact us at CustomerService@AauviHouse.com.

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

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Titles by Natalie Logan

First Impressions – Social, Business, Boardroom

Mind and Spirit – Every Decade Should Be the Best Decade of Your Life

Body and Image – Spas, Bells and Whistles

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Contents

Book Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

1 – Make a Great First Impression

2 – Stand, Walk and Sit with Distinction

3 – Voice and Speech

4 – Personality

5 – Etiquette

6 – Carefully Groomed

7 – Iconic Style

8 – Lifestyle

9 – The Good Life

10 – Make Your Differences Your Strengths

Closing Remarks

End of Book

About the Author

About the Publisher

Books by Aauvi House

Excerpts by Aauvi House

Credits

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Introduction

In its brief history, Aauvi House Publishing Group has become the new it marketers of information-based lifestyle solutions in the self-help and how-to markets for all age groups. Reinforcing a belief that living a planned extraordinarily fulfilled lifestyle is of paramount importance to its readers.

The Insiders’ Lifestyle Guides series is a first, of a twenty-one book series, that will be revised and re-launched periodically with all new material. These books feature famous themed cities represented of the book covers and include an introduction comprising a short story about its featured city. Annually, the series guides will be rolled up as chapter inserts into a single book and sold during the holiday seasons.

Anyone who desires the secrets to A-list living, values their appearance, is concerned about lifestyle or just needs more information can benefit from reading and continually referring back to the Insiders’ Lifestyle Guides series. Each book – practical in its approach – is full of facts that teach you how to make the most of your life, how to achieve peak performance, and how to maintain general health. In short, the Aauvi House Publishing Group, Rags to Riches Entertainment imprint’s ability to offer its readers a more complete and concise migration path to an extraordinary red carpet lifestyle, just got better.

Information Is Timeless

Everyone holds a secret desire to be part of the A-list seeking a confident, fashionable, and extraordinary life. These series guides make transformation routine to which all men and women will relate.

Actionable Strategies

The Insiders’ Lifestyle Guides series contains specific strategies in each book and edition that can transform lives. It details social skills of boosting confidence, replacing bad habits, and re-inventing one’s self. These books will appeal to professionals, parents, and generations of young adults.

About the Authors

The Insiders’ Lifestyle Guides series are written by a team of contributing authors, all whom have a witty, quirky, slapstick appeal.

About Our Cover Story – Athens Greece

Since jet setting is part of such a grand lifestyle, the Insiders’ Lifestyle Guide series theme includes a cultural or travel experience with every book. That is, between promotional junkets, film festivals and red carpet appearances, celebrities can rack up as many frequent-flyer miles as they do trips to rehab. And so can you once you have an insider bird’s eye view of the possibilities.

Whether traveling by plane or virtually by way of these pages, our cover story, the Parthenon, which stands atop the Acropolis of Athens is the one historical site you can’t miss. You can take a tour or wander up there yourself but during the summer, go early or late in the day. It can get very hot up there and gasping for breath can take away from your ability to marvel at the greatest of all archaeological sites.

Getting to the Acropolis is easy and more pleasant than ever because the large avenues which border the south and west of the site (Apostolou Pavlou in Thission and Dionissiou Areopagitou in Makrianni) have been turned into giant pedestrian streets lined with cafes and restaurants, and the walk is quite pleasant.

The Parthenon and other main buildings on the Acropolis were built by Pericles in the fifth century BC as a monument to the cultural and political achievements of the inhabitants of Athens. The term acropolis means upper city and many of the city states of ancient Greece are built around an acropolis where the inhabitants can go as a place of refuge in times of invasion. It’s for this reason that the most sacred buildings are usually on the Acropolis. It’s the safest most secure place in town.

The best time to go up there, is in late winter or spring, when even this stone mountain is not immune to the proliferation of grass and wildflowers which seem to burst from every crack. Even in December, January and February the Acropolis can be surprisingly green. Having seen a thousand photographs, one is still not prepared for the immensity of the Parthenon.

The Parthenon has stood atop the Acropolis of Athens for nearly 2,500 years. Throughout its long life, the Parthenon has functioned most importantly as a Greek temple, but has also been a treasury, a fortress, a church and a mosque. Today, it is one of the most recognizable icons and popular tourist attractions in the world.

About First Impressions

There is something great about A-list living and First Impressions, the first book of a twenty-one book series, is the first step to achieving such a fabulous life. When you walk into a room, the first perception is physical. It’s just a glance, but within three seconds of a new encounter, people evaluate and pass judgment on you – largely based on your appearance, mannerisms, body language, demeanor, and how you are dressed. You may intrigue some and disenchant others. But with a little preparation, you can hone your intuitive style and make every first impression great.

First Impressions teaches you how to make a positive and lasting first impression, modify it to suit any situation, and come out a winner. However, doing so requires you to assess and identify your personality, physical appearance, lifestyle and goals. Those who do will have the advantage. After all, success comes to those with integrity, those that are resourceful, and those that make a fabulous impression!

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Make a Great First Impression

Imagine you are invited to a high society cocktail party event. Inasmuch, you will be judged on first impressions, knowledge, style and grace.

First, respond to the invitation promptly and arrive and leave on time. Cocktail parties and open houses are a little more flexible, but arrive for a dinner party within fifteen minutes of the starting time. Then, don’t be the last one to go home.

During the event, make an effort to talk with everyone at the party. At a large party, introduce yourself to people you haven’t met.

When you are living the good life you would never go to a party without bringing a gift for the host. Spend time on the presentation; your gift represents both who you are and what you think of the recipient. Avoid self-help books, DVDs, and practical gifts unless they are specifically asked for. Gifts should be about you, celebrations, in other words, indulgence.

Dress Appropriately

Choose sensibly, wear what fits, and get your outfits tailored. That’s what high society celebutants and celebrities do – and you can too. No one is a perfect size four or eight. Every piece of clothing requires some tailoring in order for your outfits to look really fabulous on.

For example, you can take an eighty dollar dress and it could end up looking like an eight hundred dollar designer number with proper tailoring. Then, accessorize with an eye-catching item in a sexy spot. It will become a conversational piece.

Be Calm and Confident

Regardless of your background, what’s most important about making a great impression is self-confidence combined with good manners and graciousness. You want to be yourself and not try to repress that beautiful animated life force inside of you, but can be that without being obnoxious.

To make a great impression, you have to have tremendous self-confidence. But one should be aware that there are certain types of confidence that comes across as obnoxious and rude.

If you are going to go to a cocktail party, the whole idea of a cocktail party is to have conversation and not to go to feed your face. Hold your glass, if it is champagne for instance – hold the glass by the stem. Ladies should eat small pieces, little bite-size pieces, and eat like a bird. And it is never okay to eat off someone else’s plate.

Don’t believe what you read in newspapers or hear on the news channels – news is slanted and sensationalized. Instead, do your homework. Learn about current events, different cultures, languages, and currencies.

Always make a conscious effort to remember names – it is the polite thing to do. When making conversion, use the person’s name occasionally. Everyone likes to hear his or her name.

If you are going to make a great impression you have to look good, be original, different and interesting – all at the same time.

Make an Entrance

There’s nothing like a smile to create a great first impression. A warm confident smile will put both you and others at ease. You may be tempted to beeline to the bar, but a smarter move is to build confidence with a self-assured smile scan. Smile to the left of the room; then, smile to the center and the right of the room. This is a primal signal of approachability. Those who see you will feel a positive connection even before you talk to them. Smiling toward others creates a reciprocal response. Seeing your smile changes their chemical state, so they subconsciously associate you with feeling good.

Then do a party scan alone. If you are with someone, suggest you are going to get a drink and tell your plus one you will see him or her when you get back. You will want to walk around the edge of the room at a pace that matches the event. For example, if it’s a low-key gathering at a friend’s apartment, keep your moves relaxed and easy. On the other hand, if you’re at a high-energy dance party, pick up the pace. It sends the signal, I’m with you guys, to those watching.

To own the room, stand up tall and walk in confidently. If you believe you’re hot, others will too; but don’t be arrogant – you need to balance it by giving off a gracious vibe. Smile and make eye contact with people so that while they recognize your fabulousness, they’ll also feel comfortable chatting you up. Greet with a firm handshake. Small talk goes along way. Project a positive attitude and be courteous and attentive.

The Approach

Seek out the same sex in the room first. Despite the number of opposite sex guests at the party, you have to connect with both men and women. Going straight for the opposite sex calls you out to everyone as a threat. It’s the same effect that female animals have in the wild if they approach a male first. Approaching the same sex first, shows you’re not an immediate threat to their ability to gain attention from the opposite sex guests.

You want to be genuinely interested, not interesting. First, head toward a group of three or more, if possible. They’re less likely to be having an intimate conversation. And while having an opening line is nice, don’t feel pressure to be witty or cleaver. Simply say, Hi, I’m Taylor. I don’t know that many people here, so I thought I’d introduce myself. Then smile and listen, because when you focus on other people you feel less self-conscious and they feel better about themselves.

Ignore all stimuli except for the person you are talking to at the moment. People will like you if you allow them to talk, and they will love you if you motivate them to talk by asking questions – but no interrogations.

When you receive a compliment say, You’re so sweet! When asked what you did over the weekend say, You’re so kind to ask. With this approach you are complimenting someone’s inner qualities, which creates a much deeper connection than complimenting their shirt. For example, think about the traits we all want to hear described about ourselves – smart, generous, funny, courageous – and find ways to point out these attributes in others – always employing the word you. For instance, You’re so smart! or You’re so right!

Keep your early conversations brief so no one person consumes all of your time and energy. Do this especially with guys or gals you’re interested in for another reason, leaving them wanting more. After the first ten minutes, say something like, It was really fun talking to you. I have to say hi to a friend, but I’d love to talk more later. By doing so, you’ve created a need in the other(s) to hook up with you again.

Be Charming

When attending any sort of gathering, the key to standing out is to make other people both notice you and feel comfortable around you. Knowing where to walk, whom to talk to, and what to say is what really separates those that make a great first impression from everybody else.

When someone of the opposite sex is talking to you and telling you a funny story, touch his or her arm lightly for a second. By doing so, you encourage them to associate you with laughing and a good time. Just be sure to touch between the shoulders and fingertips. Any higher (like atop the shoulder or on the back) is considered condescending, and any lower (the waist and down) is considered sexual.

Let your eyes speak for you. If a woman sees someone she knows and likes, her eyebrows naturally raise, giving the illusion of wide eyes. Wide eyes, then make you more attractive to people, because that is what we see when we are liked. So head toward the guy you want to get to know and raise your eyebrows, creating that wide-eyed effect. Hold his gaze for a couple of seconds to really connect with him; he’ll immediately be intrigued by you.

To be memorable (and to remember who you want to know better) ask for a card. As they hand it over, let your fingers touch their hand. A touch creates a chemical exchange that makes someone more likely to remember you. Then, once you get the card, hold the card, look at it, and then make a comment.

For prospective hook-ups, as you lean in for a kiss on the cheek, reach your hand around to the back of his neck, lightly touching it with the edge of your thumb or forefinger. The back of the neck is a very intimate area. If you touch it lightly, as if it wasn’t intentional, you’ll get him thinking about you, but he won’t realize how you made it happen.

First Impressions

We’re built to size each other up quickly. Even if we’re presented with lots of evidence to the contrary, we’re usually attached to our initial impressions of people – which is why you should be aware of the impressions you make on others. Luckily there are simple guidelines for wowing new acquaintances.

1. He’s talking about his trip to Chicago, which reminds you of a trip to Hawaii you just took. You want to interrupt and interject. Don’t do it. It is human nature to want to share impressive things about us, but the one idea you should keep in mind is How am I making the other person feel? Instead, be an attentive listener and actively encourage others to talk about themselves. Then, respond genuinely – without bringing it back to you.

2. If you are in a conversation that is over your head, just focus on the other person. This in turn will take the pressure off you. As you interact, make sure you are not interrogating a new acquaintance.

3. If you are a fidgety person, work on controlling your movements such as biting your nails.

4. Speak slowly. Talking too fast is a sign of nervousness or ignorance.

5. When you first meet someone, focus on your eye contact, your smile, and your posture.

6. Adjust your posture, voice, words and gestures to match those of a new acquaintance – we are attracted to others who are just like us. People respond when you speak at their pace. For example, to establish an instant rapport, mirror your new friend’s head nods and tilts.

7. Always be yourself but be mindful of others reactions. For example, if you are having a bad day, suppress complaining when meeting new acquaintances. If you don’t, they are likely to take you as a full-time complainer.

8. Use compliments sparingly. Instead, be genuinely interested in the acquaintance and focus on their accomplishments or achievements.

9. You arrive at an event fuming over parking. Inside the event you immediately brush off someone and head to the