Prepping For Your Second, First Impression

WE are all not perfect neither are we all alike; as long as we are still on earth, life would keep throwing us odd curveballs and many different ways to botch a first impression. So, are there any second, first impressions? Are there second chances? Yes… some of the time. Whether the failed first impression was your fault or one of life’s curveballs, a few moves might just be the thing to get you back on your feet.

Take a step back from your emotions

“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Proverbs 16:36 KJV

   The view is always different from a vantage point, and when it comes to frictions in interpersonal relationships, that vantage point is the quality of being objective and impersonal. When approaching challenges, it is often best to get your emotions out of the equation and assess things from a situational point of view and not a personal one.   

   When we get personal, it is always rife with bias, pride and such things as that. If you assess a problem like that, you will be limited and will very much likely make a…stupid decision. Strong word? You just might think so, too, if you took a look at things from another point of view. Let us say for instance that you just received what you perceive to be a provocative email. If you let yourself get provoked you would respond out of anger and regret your message later. However, if you let your emotions cool off and approach the email again but objectively, you would find that there are some words you might have taken to mean something else and the fact that it is very easy to misinterpret something via email than via a face to face meeting. Also, if you could look beyond a person’s emotions, however disagreeable, you stand a better chance of dealing with the root cause of the problem as opposed to the superficial display and literally cover a multitude of sins.

Be honest with yourself

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world”.  I Corinthians 11:31-32 KJV

  It isn’t the easiest thing to do if you are determined on keeping your pride. If you are determined on moving on, then it would be nothing less than a relief to admit to your own mistakes and weaknesses. This is rare-honesty is rare. You’re not being honest when you justify your errors with excuses. When a genuine gesture of goodwill is displayed, most people will respond favourably. 

  Think of it this way; would you rather turn your back to a liar or to an honest man? “I’m sorry, I was plain wrong. I knew better and I deserve the penalty you have stated – I‘m truly sorry for any inconvenience I have caused. If there is any way I can fix this please let me know” It won’t be a cliché if it is honest. An honest statement like that can disarm a hard heart. The goal though is not to get the penalty off your back but to start on an honest and open, fresh slate. If you decide to lie in other to save yourself then there remains only a fearful expectation of judgement- matters not if one succeeded in deceiving another, havoc would already have been wrought on the conscience and that is no way to live.

Don’t be hard on yourself

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”. Philippians 3:13-14 KJV

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1 KJV

  As long as your intention is to move forward, then you must forget the past with its mistakes and regrets-contrary to what a weak consciousness might imply, it is not a luxury but a necessity. It is essential if you want to make progress and not fall back into the same old mistakes. By all means, salvage the lessons-every other thing is chaff.

Image and Etiquette: As a young lady, I suffered much from inferiority and timidity. I had an unhealthy distrust of myself and God-given beauty. By God’s grace, I found answers in the Bible (especially the Songs of Solomon) which transformed me. His Word transformed me from a bitter, angry teenager to a cheerful, content, peace-filled and purposeful woman; Jesus changed me from the inside out. I have a passion for etiquette and image and I know that our outward image and our attitudes are influenced by our heart. Therefore, image and etiquette is spirit, soul and body – just as it was in the beginning! Having been given the knowledge, experimental application and experience through His grace alone, this is what I teach. Unconventional…yes, but it remains the truth to the degree that I have understood it. For this, I make no apologies. Website: www.regalgraces.com. Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 08116706879 (text messages only).