How to be instantly likable is one of the most important traits to have for success. Making a great first impression is imperative for business, a job interview, or talking to your future husband or wife at the bar. We are all in the people business no matter what you do, so best become good with people.
For some, being likable is a natural trait, and others might have to work at it. I have met some wonderful people who gave bad first impressions. This is a guide to help enhance your likability so people will give you a chance to see how great you really are.
Even if you don’t agree with it, we all judge people within the first few seconds of meeting them. Studies show you have about seven seconds to make a great first impression. Only seven seconds and someone will judge whether you are worth talking to. Your subconscious mind is making connections at light speed on every level whether you realize it or not. Your subconscious brain is saying, “I like this person” or “This person is an idiot!” You don’t have to knock their socks off in seven seconds, just make them like you enough to give you more time.
These 5 steps will help enhance your likability and get you started with making a great first impression.
Step 1. Smile. People like to be around happy people. You might say, “I am not happy all the time”. Well now is the time to change that. You are in control of your own happiness. You can choose to be happy right now. Crazy concept right, but it is true. When smile, you will naturally begin to feel better. Shine that smile at people and they will be attracted to you.
Step 2: Make eye contact. If you combine this with a smile it shows you are confident and acknowledge the other person. It will be difficult for them not to smile back at you. When they smile it will make them feel better. You just made the world a happier place that easily.
Step 3: Straighten up. If you are standing pull your shoulders back a little and lose the slouch. If you are sitting, sit up straight. It shows you are interested and confident. People like people who are interested in them.
Step 4. Listen and pay attention. You have two ears and one mouth, so listen twice as much as you talk. Ask good questions and look at them when they talk. It is called active listening. Don’t be playing on your phone or anything like that. We all want someone who genuinely cares about us. If you can show genuine interest in someone, they will love you for it.
Step 5. Compliment them. Make sure it is a genuine compliment too. It is a great ice breaker when you want to start a conversation with someone. To do this you have to become more aware of your environment and of them. When was the last time you received a complement? Genuine compliments will create better impressions, and most likely make that persons day. Make it a goal to give out more genuine compliments to strangers and also people you currently know. You will become a favorite among your friends.
As you can see it doesn’t take much. Practice each one of these five steps separately or together and watch how people respond to you. With these five very simple steps you will be on your way to being very likable and make a great first impression.
Chris Lengle Productions 