Body Language
First impressions are a very funny thing. The trick is to accept that they exist and embrace them and more importantly, understand what you want your first impression to be of whomever you meet on any given day. Stand up tall, walk confidently, but femininely, sit like a lady, keep your stomach in and be aware of your body, face each person you are speaking to, extend a welcoming hand or kiss on the cheek, be warm, but be aware of your personal space bubble, set your boundaries (everyone’s will be different), refrain from tugging at your clothing in public or touching your hair or face too often (hints at insecurity), and when you smile, do so with sincerity.
Mannerisms
One piece of my signature style is something that is recognizable by past and present students, family members and friends, and in one instance my boss knowing I was in the same restaurant as he was simply because he heard my laugh from across the room. Those every day idiosyncrasies that we do many times subconsciously are very often what others observe and associate with our identity, so what mannerisms do you share with the world on a daily basis? Is it your laugh, is it your eye contact, your ability to truly engage in conversation with the person who is speaking to you no matter what is going on around you, or your curiosity to get to know those around you instead of speaking about yourself? Such mannerisms can say so much.
