A psychologist at the Harvard Business School, Amy Cuddy, has been studying “first impressions” for more than a decade. According to her research, 80% to 90% of a first impression is based on two subconscious questions we and the people we meet ask ourselves:

• Can I trust that this person has good intentions towards me?
• Is this person competent?

In other words, if a person’s first impressions of you are friendly, competent and trustworthy, they are more likely to feel comfortable around you and open up to you. And it can happen in as little as three seconds.
Some practical guidelines to making a good first impression include:

1. BE PREPARED

“It is impossible to stand in the presence of God and be a pessimist.”  Henry Blackaby

One of the keys to a life of impact is that of perspective. Some people look at situations logically while others look at situations with perspective – which I define as looking through the eyes of God. If we focus on our problems and oppositions and challenges through logical eyes, there is every possibility that they will overwhelm us and cause us to retreat or give up. But if we focus on these things through the eyes of God we will gain perspective knowing that “all things are possible with God.” Philippians 4:13

Perspective …

One of the greatest motivations in my life is the understanding that I am a steward of my life and all that I that I possess is a gift from God to be used for His glory. An equal motivation in my life is the principle that what I don’t use I will more than likely lose.

Jesus explained this in a parable He taught regarding three people that were entrusted with money by their master to invest according to their abilities while he was absent on a trip. On his return, two of the servants had doubled their money while the third servant had hidden his money for fear …