First Five: Your Scientific Solution for a Successful First Impression

Book excerpt: Use verbal and full-body communication tactics to dissolve anxiety, convey confidence and make an impressive introduction. This illustrated book describes in laser-sharp detail battle-tested techniques for influencing others’ perceptions of you. It gives you control over your own conscious and subconscious communications and the capacity to take affirmative action towards creating a purposeful first impression. Imagine you have one small five-minute window to create a solid emotional ecosystem from which every subsequent interaction you have with a person will build. This ecosystem will subconsciously influence the progression of the relationship, the ease of rapport, and whether you will be able to meet the outcomes and expectations you have for each other. This book curates numerous academic articles and advice from the field of behavioral science, hypnosis, and linguistics to create a functional step-by-step guide full of hands-on, practical solutions to problems you may encounter during a first meeting. It covers everything from ways of managing and defusing your own stress and social anxiety, to ways of responding to aggression in others. This book contains information such as: * Building and communicating confidence * Setting SMARTER Spectral Goals * Dissolving discomfort and minimizing anxiety * Making introductions * Helpful handshake hints * Building rapport through isopraxism and linguistic techniques * Movement, gestures, and body language * How to analyse communications to find the hidden meaning and personality differences * Establishing the correct emotional environment * Having the resiliency needed to overcome failure * Cementing long-term connections Importantly, this book is also illustrated so that we don't just tell you, but also show you the techniques needed to master the perfect first impression. We wanted this book to cover first impression optimisation from a number of different angles so you can choose the correct technique for each individual situation you encounter. After all, sometimes you might want to give off a dominant, confident impression, but sometimes this won’t work for the situation. We’ve outlined the techniques in a short, digestible form and provided insight into some potential scenarios where this tool should and shouldn’t be applied. Understanding the different techniques and tools is one thing, but understanding how to apply them is another. Once you have the rights tools in your toolbox you can apply these techniques to all subsequent encounters, and develop upon them as you see fit.