No matter what we say or do the thing about first impression has been a thing that will never leave us alone. So why not talk about that? Since everyone is affected by it and the first impression tag “tags” along with the person for a long long time, let’s see if we can see as to how one can present a better first impression.

1. Be friendly : This works wonders. Meet and greet the person with a firm hand-shake. And remember to “Smile”, meet as if its a very good friend, but obviously over-doing it will just make it look fake.
2. Body language : Don’t turn AWAY from the person when talking. Or don’t cross your arms or legs in the way as if you are uncomfy talking to them, and obviously don’t stare at them as if they got something on their face!
3. Good posture : A good posture, standing position, is a good sign that you are comfy with yourself and the person you are talking to. Now you don’t want to be bending as if you are looking left and talking from the right corner of your lip to them.. would you like it if I did that to you?
4. Speak clearly : Some people mumble jumble a lot of their sentences when they are nervous. So follow the first tip. When you see them as a friend, you will smile and be quite clear as to what you got to say.
5. Be positive : This is very important. I am sure you wouldn’t say that  a person has left a good first impression if the first thing they hear from you is how much you hate your boss, your parents, your siblings, your job, your life.. phew!

Recommended book

• How to Win Friends & Influence People

What about you? Got more tips?

I was like that a few years back. Or actually I must say when I was in 5th grade I was very very very shy. But then things changed. I started looking at myself as someone who knew what he was saying and doing. It started with the boost I got from winning the “Artist of the year” and when I got the award for “Highest achievement in maths”. The confidence and the push I got from that really did help me a bit in going against the fear of speaking in public. What would a 5th grader know about public speaking? Well I went to an American school in Oslo, so there we had classes where used to give speeches on various things so I must say it was quite a fun experience.

But yes back to the topic. Here is how you can overcome public speaking

• Be YOURSELF
  Lots of people forget that, they get on stage and try to be someone they are not. Be yourself because no one else can be that!
• Engage the listeners
  If you get on stage and call out to the audience or engage them into an activity, then the whole focus will be on them. This is the best trick ever. I used it when I sang on stage at an “all girls concert”, all I did was I went on stage and as shy as I was I said on the mic “Ok anyone want to sing this “song” with me? So all of a sudden it was THEM who were nervous not me
• Be incharge
  When you are speaking for a large group of people, try to be incharge. If you can fake it, you can make it. With that I mean, try to talk about subjects you know very well about. Do not bring in facts that you just made up on the spot. Do your homework and voila.. you are the MAN (or woman for that matter)
• Know your audience
  Good speakers know their audience. Know their calibre and know how good (or bad) they are. Its easier to impress 100 non-graphical people by telling them a few things about how graphics design works but it won’t be as easy to say the same things to experts in graphics design. So know your audience and remember..do your homework!

What about you? Are you good when it comes to public speaking? What’s your fear?

Relationships are complicated. Or maybe we make them complicated ourselves. I guess that the only way one can manage to maintain a healthy relationship is when one gives it 100% of the effort it requires and deserves. Lots of people I see sometimes have complaints that their relationship isn’t at the level its supposed to be but when you look at the effort they are putting in, it’s almost close to none.

They would give their time to their friends, games, outdoor activities and everything that does NOT include their spouse or their partner.
I feel that an investment in a relationship is never going to return in a loss. You always win at the end.

Recommended book : Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs

What do you think? What are your views on that?