{TSSN} Week 10: How To Impress in 4 Steps or Less

I couldn't resist making a post with a rhyming title. It's kind of fun to be corny once in a while. Did I just rhyme again...?

To start, impressing people has to be done honestly. Impressing people has to be done skillfully. It does not mean being someone you are not, to gain false respect or admiration, at the risk of being found out. Which, in most cases, ends in disaster.
The key is finding the perfect balance between reality and gaining what you want. It's an art. It takes talent, a keen sense of one's audience, and confidence. A person who is impressive is different than a person who impresses. In this case, the former is what you should strive for. We interact with people on a daily basis; it's important to know how to gain favor with everyone you meet. Granted not everyone will love you, but you can at least try, right?



#1 - Engage all your senses.
Are you looking at people's eyes when they talk? Listening intently? Showing the right confidence in your body language? Dressing nicely? Are you walking confidently? Correct posture? Appearances, as much as they are overrated sometimes, are key to impressing people. Our eyes and ears tell us things about the people we interact with. Ever meet someone where it felt like when you were talking to them, you were the only person in the room? That sort of devotion to a conversation says that they are not only a gracious listener, but they are sincere and genuine. But you gotta relax, stay cool, be calm. Trying too hard can come across as creepy. If you have the "good appearances and engaging your senses" part done pat, you're halfway there.

#2 - Have the right motives.
Impressing people shouldn't be to stoke your ego, gain more friends to look good, or to make yourself climb a social ladder. You are who you are, with or without people's opinions or impressions of you. Stop trying so hard. Be yourself. If people don't like that, it's not your problem. Be courteous but genuine. Be aware of how people are responding to you. Dare to do things, to express opinions, to compliment, to care. The effort you put into it depends on your motives.

#3 - Talking and not just blabbing.
(This is where it gets tricky). Ever meet someone where they looked really nice, but as soon as they opened their mouth you really, really suddenly found the lint on their shoulder so much more interesting? Talking is an art too. Find a topic that interests the person or people you are talking to, and ask them about it. If it's something you also know about, brownie points! If not, learning something new and being impressed by their knowledge of a topic will in turn make them impressed by your listening skills. A conversation is both talking intelligently, and listening intently. And half acting like you know what they are talking about too, I will admit. Because honestly there's no way you can know everything. But just don't act like you know all about the rare ant disease the Russian entomologist you are talking with is referring to; you could get yourself into some deep water there. Be realistic, but charming.
Humor, even if it's not your strong point, is also a great way to lighten up a conversation and make people smile. Unless you are at a funeral, mild humor is never a let down.

#4 - Just be you.
Nobody can do it better. Everyone appreciates an honest, consistent, open person. Don't lose your cool in tense situations. Think positively about everyone. Work on having excellent manners. But most importantly, focus on being at ease with everyone. Even people who hate your guts. To put it quite plainly, if someone doesn't like you, it's not your fault. (Unless you are acting like a total jerk, then that's a different story). As long as you are confident, a good listener, and have a clean shirt, you're far above the social norm and well on your way to fame.


P.S. I'm not biting my nails, I drink protein shakes daily, I jog almost every day, and I'm happy. If that's not a form of success I don't know what is. I did realize this week though, that when you're happy, you tend to become a target. It's rather sad, because I wish everyone could be happy. It sounds naive and stupid, but it's true. Who doesn't like happiness? Ah well, I love being happy anyway. Don't you?

Yours Always,