Don’t Worry about Your First Impression

Authenticity is a steep price to pay

Authenticity is a steep price to pay

Photo by Jurica Koletić

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

I’ve always struggled with this truism.

I know, people are judgmental — it takes only seven seconds to form an opinion about someone you just met. We all tend to judge books by their covers. First impressions are hard to change according to research. But that’s just one side of the story (more on this later).

Studies show that we make snap judgments about other people. 80% of first impressions are based on two subconscious questions: Can I trust this person? Is this person capable?

Both you and the other party are simultaneously assessing each other.

However, there’s something wrong with this self-help advice — it encourages us to seek other’s approval rather than self-acceptance. Also, it’s an invitation to play it safe — if you make a mistake, you are screwed up for life. That’s intrinsically bad.

Let’s challenge this truism together.

Stop Trying to Be Liked

“You don’t worr…