Let me go back on my word for just a moment about the daily prompt. I wasn’t going to answer it because I answered it last year and I am wanting to break away from the daily prompts as a result. However! I couldn’t resist going back to see what I said about first impressions last year. I’ve done a lot of changing and growing and healing in a year, so I wondered if my answer would be different now. And oh how it is.
Last year I wrote about how I want people to think I’m awesome but it might take time to know that because I’m introverted and I need time to warm up and come out of my shell.
Specifically, I said…
I guess the bottom line is, I think I’m an awesome person to know and either be friends with or work with every day. It just takes a little bit of time for people to realize that about me. And I’m ok with that. I don’t go out of my way to be extroverted from the beginning. I don’t try to be anything other than what I am. Shouldn’t we all?
Now, having said that, I still think I’m awesome. But honestly, my answer now is pretty much exactly what my husband said when I asked him this question. We both agree, we want people to think we don’t give a f***. To be honest, that sounds a little harsh, but it’s true. It’s also not the only thing I want people to know. I think it also depends on who is getting this first impression of me. Is it someone at work? Because I definitely want them to know I don’t give a f*** and I will tell you what you may not want to hear. If asked my opinion, I will not hold back. I will tell the truth. With professionalism of course. One of my coworkers recently said that upper admin knew not to have her work for this one person (the person I’m now dealing with) because she said, and I quote, “They know I’ll flip a table if they try and make me.” I believe that about her. I also immediately thought, how do I get them to know that I, too, will flip a table? I mean, I think upper admin is finding that out now, because I have been figuratively flipping tables for several weeks now.
If it’s someone not associated with my job, I still want the first impression to be that I’m awesome. And kind. And bold. My tattoos will attest to those characteristics without me having to say anything. Well, maybe not the kindness part. Although…I have crocheted flowers and a ball of yarn all down my arm. How can anybody who knits or crochets not be kind? Or at least appear to be kind?
I might still be a little introverted and not the best with first meetings, but my tattoos, my funky, cool earrings, my sarcastic t-shirts, and my brightly colored nails ought to say enough about me to make a good first impression. Whether it’s with words or appearances, that first impression is going to truly say something about me no matter the setting I’m in.
Leave a Reply