subject: What Has Your Image Got to Do With Success? [print this page] What Has Your Image Got to Do With Success?
More than you could imagine!
The importance of looking and feeling good, and showing your best self cannot be further emphasised. How you talk and move, and present yourself to your clients, bosses or business associates, affect how you are perceived.
By projecting yourself in the best possible light, charged with an aura of confidence, you are more likely to give a positive impression of professional competence and trustworthiness, which ultimately, helps you to arrive at success!
First Impressions Count
A study1 conducted by Princeton University in 2006 revealed that all it took was one-tenth of a second for subjects to form an impression of a stranger, just by looking at the face! Psychologists also found that with longer exposures, their subjects not only held on to their impressions but grew more confident of their judgments. Isn't it worrying how much can go wrong even before you smile and say "Hello"?
The well-known "halo effect" demonstrates that subconsciously, we create an overall impression of someone we only just met (or based on one of his/her outstanding traits)2. This, inadvertently leads to -- for better or for worse -- our conclusion of what sort of person he/she really is. Such is the extent of research on this topic that we have no choice but to be convinced of the somewhat unfair, but lasting results of first impressions.
Back with this revelation that, the way you present yourself can help your audience form an opinion on your credibility, character and capabilities, and influence the decision-making process, how then can we avoid being cast in a negative light?
The good news is: Being fully aware on the importance of a strong, poised image puts you one step ahead in the game; and you can get another step closer to success by taking proactive steps to prevent being misjudged at "Hello"!
Take the big leap forward and let your positivity, strengths and capabilities shine through -- you may not be given a second chance!
References
1. First Impressions by Janine Willis and Alexander Todorov, PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE Volume 17, No. 7, 200
2. E L Thorndike, "A Constant Error on Psychological Rating', Journal of Applied Psychology, vol. IV (1920), 25-29
