First Impressions

I thought this would be a good time to talk about first impressions, as I've just embarked on a new job and met lots of new people.  I've come to find that as I progress in my knowledge of different personalities and how to work with them, I am better able to pinpoint these types of people within a very short time of knowing them.

I commented to a family member yesterday that I am glad that I have become a more relaxed person who listens better instead of the type-A personality who was an obsessively organized perfectionist which I used to be.  I got a first-hand look of what it would have felt like to meet me just a few years ago.  Not that it is a bad way to be, but it is almost overwhelming and exhausting to meet that type of person initially.

The whole experience of meeting new coworkers reminded me of all the things I want to portray in the first impressions that I make.  I want to be respectful, knowledgeable, and confident, among other things.  I want to come across as the good listener that I am (and I can hear all you folks who are laughing at this because I love to talk!) and become a resource on many things for others.  Sometimes you just have to keep your mouth shut during the first few days to learn who you're working with.

What else did I learn from my first impression experiences this week?  Don't immediately volunteer for everything.  You'll not only come across as a brown-noser, but you will probably get overwhelmed with all of the different tasks you signed up for.  You should take the time to think about the different opportunities and select one that is most important to you, or at least fun!