2191: Focus on First Impressions AND Become a Confident Communicator by Chalene Johnson on Communication Skills

[00:00:00] We took it all. We brought them to our land. An endless night, ember hot and icy cold.

[00:00:10] The rage of the earth. We made this curse. Carved it in the blood on our backs. We did not see.

[00:00:20] We could not but she did. And in the end... What will I become? Senua's Saga. Hellblade 2.

[00:00:27] Play it now with Game Pass.

[00:00:58] This is Optimal Relationships Daily, episode 2191. Focus on first impressions and become

[00:01:08] a confident communicator, both by Chalene Johnson of chalenejohnson.com.

[00:01:13] Hello everybody and thank you so much for joining me this Saturday.

[00:01:17] I'm Greg Audino, your host and narrator here on ORD.

[00:01:21] And this time I've actually got two shorter posts for you,

[00:01:24] both from Chalene Johnson, who is one of the authors we've been reading from on all our shows

[00:01:28] in the network since the very beginning. So big thanks to her for her continued contributions.

[00:01:33] And now let's hear more of her work as we optimize your life.

[00:01:41] Focus on first impressions by Chalene Johnson of chalenejohnson.com.

[00:01:47] What is the first thing people notice about you? Are you making the best first impression you can?

[00:01:53] We tend to judge others quickly, in way less than a minute. We are either drawn to them or we're not.

[00:02:00] What can you do to be sure you're attracting people and making them want to know more about you?

[00:02:05] First impressions in these areas matter. A lot.

[00:02:09] Here are four areas to focus on for first impressions.

[00:02:13] Number 1. Your Dress.

[00:02:16] Take the time to look your best and dress appropriately for the situation.

[00:02:20] You want to fit in. You don't want your garments to draw attention away from yourself.

[00:02:25] Look clean and ready to engage with others. Stand up straight and look energetic.

[00:02:31] Even if you're feeling a little timid, walk in like you own the room and as if everyone there

[00:02:36] is fortunate you have finally arrived. Keep your stance slightly open and your arms free and uncrossed.

[00:02:43] Number 2. Posture.

[00:02:46] Your mother always told you to stand up straight. It turns out she was right.

[00:02:50] Maintaining an upright posture elongates the spine and increases energy.

[00:02:55] Besides, when someone is standing tall, shoulders back and head up, they just look better.

[00:03:01] When you have good posture, you look alert and ready to go.

[00:03:04] We are naturally drawn to people with great posture.

[00:03:08] Perform core strengthening exercises to support your back and give yourself reminders to sit up

[00:03:13] straight. Making a habit out of perfect posture will increase your energy and will signal to

[00:03:18] others that you are engaged and attentive. Number 3. Your Smile.

[00:03:24] So much of what we say is non-verbal. A smile is one of the best ways to show others that you're

[00:03:30] enthusiastic and engaged. Many times, when people concentrate, they have a sour or blank expression.

[00:03:37] Try to catch yourself if you feel yourself starting to frown when you're working on something.

[00:03:42] It's just a habit. Smile fully and look people in the eye.

[00:03:46] When they speak, nod and smile as if you understand what they're saying.

[00:03:50] Make others feel like they are very important to you. Look genuinely happy to be with them.

[00:03:56] Think about the energy you want to share with those around you and change your expression to

[00:04:00] be inviting, open and optimistic. You'll be surprised at how much a simple alteration can

[00:04:06] change so much. You know what they say, smile and the world smiles with you.

[00:04:12] And number 4. Your Words. Every single time you have a choice,

[00:04:18] choose kindness. We respect people we can trust. Build the reputation for integrity.

[00:04:24] Ask questions. Show interest in others. It's the surest way to win people over.

[00:04:30] Give compliments and mean them. The way you speak is important. Do your best to speak clearly and

[00:04:36] at an auditory level that mimics others in the room. You neither want to be too quiet nor too

[00:04:42] loud. Be kind and positive. But mostly listen. Let others speak. You never learn anything new

[00:04:49] from talking. Take the time to hear what others have to say and to learn about them. One of the

[00:04:55] best ways to connect with someone else is to share a common interest. Find out what motivates

[00:05:00] those around you. What inspires them? Encourage them to say more and to explain. You will learn

[00:05:07] something new and you'll have made others feel at ease with you. Become a confidence communicator

[00:05:16] by Shaleen Johnson of ShaleenJohnson.com. Did you know that 89.7% of opportunities are given

[00:05:24] to people based on their ability to communicate? And this applies to all areas of your life.

[00:05:30] Your business, career, relationships, everything. Whether you need to seal the deal, close a sale,

[00:05:38] maintain a relationship, or just make a point, having good communication skills is critical.

[00:05:45] Your communication skills are key to your success, regardless of whether you're delivering

[00:05:49] a speech to thousands of people, in a boardroom with just 5 people, or have a chance meeting in

[00:05:55] an elevator with just one important person. Lots of people lose amazing opportunities

[00:06:00] simply because they're too nervous or aren't properly prepared. Early in my career, I experienced

[00:06:06] it myself. When I first launched my fitness apparel line, I had an incredible opportunity

[00:06:12] to work with a huge fitness brand. I thought the product would speak for itself, and when I went

[00:06:17] into my big meeting, I was not fully prepared for the size of the opportunity in front of me.

[00:06:23] I got nervous, sweaty, shaky, and I was not able to communicate what people needed to know.

[00:06:29] So I lost that opportunity. But I learned from my mistake, and you can too. I realized every

[00:06:36] opportunity I had was reliant upon my ability to communicate confidently. So I invested in my

[00:06:42] business and in myself. I attended seminars and trainings, and even hired a speaking coach to help

[00:06:48] me get better. I've found that being a confident communicator starts with three things, and I want

[00:06:54] to share them with you today. Being prepared, making your point, and engaging your audience.

[00:07:00] Three basics to becoming a confident communicator.

[00:07:04] Number one, be prepared. If you have a big opportunity coming up, research, research,

[00:07:11] and research some more. The more you know your audience and what it is you want them to do,

[00:07:16] the better off you'll be. You'll also want to be prepared for those random, unplanned opportunities.

[00:07:22] Do you have an elevator speech? What is it that you do, and can you sum it up in just a few

[00:07:27] sentences? Be ready to pitch whatever it is you do on a whim, because you never know when you'll

[00:07:33] find yourself standing next to someone in an elevator that could change your life.

[00:07:38] Number two, make your point. What is the one thing you want your audience to leave knowing?

[00:07:45] What is it you want them to do? Focus on that point and gear your speech toward that outcome.

[00:07:52] And number three, engage your audience. To keep your audience's interest, you must relate to them

[00:07:59] and their wants and needs. Find a way to make a connection with them and hit on these things.

[00:08:06] You will engage them and ensure that they are receptive to your point.

[00:08:14] You just listened to the posts titled, Focus on First Impressions and Become a Confident

[00:08:21] Communicator, both by Chalene Johnson of chalenejohnson.com, and I'll be right back

[00:08:26] with my commentary.

[00:09:29] And thank you to Chalene for these posts, which both have the power to help you feel more at

[00:09:33] ease with people. I do want to speak a bit more about the first one though, Focus on First

[00:09:38] Impressions. It's always important to check in with yourself about what you really need from your

[00:09:44] social life at the moment, what's important to you, what's most important to you rather.

[00:09:49] And what I'm saying is that while it is great to follow her tips and create good first impressions,

[00:09:56] that might not be the most important thing for you to do right now if, for example,

[00:10:02] you're working on really owning your individuality and not doing things just to impress others.

[00:10:08] If you find yourself in a chapter of your life in which that is the focal point,

[00:10:13] then you might not want to put these limits on yourself about how to dress or how to speak.

[00:10:18] Doing so might only set you back in that larger goal, again, of getting comfortable in your true

[00:10:23] identity. Does that make sense? That's why it's always important to keep an open mind to these

[00:10:29] posts that we share, but also take time to think about if they really make sense for you,

[00:10:34] because they can't all be right for everyone all the time.

[00:10:38] Okay, and that'll bring us to the end for today, everyone. As always, I'm so thankful that you

[00:10:42] showed up and did right by your relationships by doing so. Have a great Saturday, if you're

[00:10:46] listening in real time, and be sure to join us again tomorrow for more. That's where your optimal life

[00:10:52] awaits.