"Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent."
-Dalai Lama

Welcome to July's "Mysteries of the Mind" monthly newsletter!

“You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.”
-Will Rogers

10 Steps to Making a Fantastic First Impression

Our brains take in a huge amount of verbal and non-verbal cues almost instantaneously when we meet someone.

It takes just a quick glance, less than 7 seconds, for someone to evaluate you when you meet for the first time. In this short time, They will form an opinion about you based on your appearance, your body language, your demeanor, your mannerisms, your tone, and how you are dressed.

These first impression can be nearly impossible to reverse or undo, making those first encounters extremely important, for they set the tone for the relationship that follows.

The moment that stranger sees you, they begin to determine: Are you someone to approach or to avoid? Are you friend or foe? Do you have status and authority? Are you trustworthy, competent, likable, and confident?

First impressions are more heavily influenced by nonverbal cues than verbal cues. In fact, studies have found that nonverbal cues have over four times the impact on the impression you make than anything you say.

You can't stop people from making snap decisions - the human brain is hardwired in this way as a prehistoric survival mechanism - However, you can understand how to make those decisions work in your favor.

So, whether they are in your career or social life, it's important to know how to create a good first impression.

So how can we make good first impressions? 10 steps!

1. Choose your attitude. People will feel your attitude instantly. Before you turn to greet someone, enter the room, or step on stage, think about the situation and make a conscious choice about the attitude you want to embody.

2. Straighten your posture. Status and power are nonverbally conveyed by height and space. Standing tall, pulling your shoulders back, and holding your head straight are all signals of confidence and competence.

3. Smile. A smile is an invitation. It is welcoming and says " I'm friendly and approachable."

4. Eye contact. Looking at someone's eyes transmits energy and indicates interest and openness. (To improve your eye contact, make a practice of noticing the eye color of everyone you meet.)

5. Raise your eyebrows. Open your eyes slightly more than normal to simulate the "eyebrow flash" that is the universal signal of recognition and acknowledgement. (I sometimes call this "Turning on the sparkle")

6. Dress appropriately. Your outer appearance is your packaging. You don't have to spend a lot of money to look groomed and well dressed. Brush your hair and trim your nails. Decide, what is the appropriate dress for the meeting or occasion? In a business setting, what is the appropriate business attire? Suit, blazer, casual, jeans? And ask yourself what the person you'll be meeting is likely to wear. I always try to wear 1 step above what the crowd will be wearing so it looks like I am going somewhere better later.

7. Have something current to talk about. It's easier than ever to stay in tune with what happens in the world. People who don't know what's going on appear uninterested and unaware. Set your computer or mobile browser homepage to a site like Yahoo.com. That way, every time you are on the Internet, you can see what's happening in the feed. I watch The Daily Show on Hulu and listen to streaming NPR as well. Knowing what's going on will help you be a better conversationalist and find common ground with whomever you interacting with.

8. Take a genuine interest in others. When you listen to others, listen to listen. Don't do as many do and ignore what the other is saying simply waiting for a pause so you can continue your thought. Take an honest and genuine interest in their point of view, their thoughts, and what they have to say to you.

9. Be Positive. Your attitude shows through in everything you do. Project a positive attitude, even in the face of criticism or in the case of nervousness. Strive to learn from your meeting and to contribute appropriately, maintaining an upbeat manner and a smile.

10. Tone of voice. Here is a fascinating study on how we interpret just one word: Hello.
Listen/Read Here

Now go out and make some great first impressions.

Let me know if there is anyone in your organization that I should reach out to help in the development of a positive corporate culture that leads to better customer service. I promise to add a little magic along the way!

Your friend,
-Paul Draper
paul@mentalmysteries.com
801-541-2976

Websites:
wwww.PaulWDraper.com
www.AnthropologyOffice.com
www.helpinghospitalsheal.com

Read more about Paul:
Paul Draper Mentalism (pdf)
Transformational Leadership with Paul Draper (pdf)

"The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure"
-Joseph Campbell

"It is only at the first encounter that a face makes its full impression on us."
-Arthur Schopenhauer

Salt Lake 48hr Film Fest
Salt Lake City, Utah
May 30th - June 1st

Eagle Eyes Foundation
Salt Lake City, Utah
June 6th

Medical Conference
Los Angeles, California
June 7th

Westside Wizards
Venice, California
June 10th

Fear Factory
Salt Lake City, Utah
June 28th

Fantasy Con
Salt Lake City, Utah
July 2nd-5th

Anime Expo
Los Angeles California
July 6th

Craig Taylor Memorial
Torrance, California
July 12th

Suncoast Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada
July 17th

Mastermind Group
Las Vegas Nevada
July 19th - 20th

Hypno Thoughts
Las Vegas, Nevada
July 18th - 20th

Orleans Casino with Jeff McBride
Las Vegas, Nevada
July 18th

South Bay Music Symposium
El Segundo, California
July 21 - 26

Home & Family on Hallmark
Universal Studios, California
July 30th

Comic Con
Salt Lake City, Utah
September 4th - 6th

R&H Cinderella
Holladay, Utah
October 1st-?

Fear Factory
Salt Lake City, Utah October
1st -?

Finke Theater
California, Missouri
October 10th

Mindvention
Las Vegas, Nevada
October 12th -14th

Tree City Comic Con
Boise, Idaho
October 17th - 18th

Magic & Meaning
Las Vegas, Nevada
October 15th - 18th

To find out more about my corporate lectures and workshops download this .pdf
Transformational Leadership with Paul Draper

Or PaulDraperManagement@Gmail.com

Sizzle

Two new fast Sizzle Reels of my show. Which do you like more and why?

Family friendly show for theaters, festivals, and performing arts centers

Watch Here (3 min)

This version is cut from multiple performances & represents my 45-75 min show.

Comedy Show at the Hollywood Magic Castle

Watch Here (2 min)

This version is cut from one performance & represents my 25-45 min show.

Thoughts?

Emmy award winners made both of these videos. The first reel is made by Justin Carter who has primarily worked in the field of daily news programs especially for Ch 5 News in Salt Lake City, Utah. The second reel was shot and edited by Nathan Meier who is a documentary film maker and works for Cal Arts University.

Legends & Fairytales

Five hundred new fairytales discovered in Germany

Collection of fairytales gathered by historian Franz Xaver von Schönwerth had been locked away in an archive in Regensburg for over 150 years.

Read Here

A whole new world of magic animals, brave young princes and evil witches has come to light. The tales are part of a collection of myths, legends and fairytales, gathered by the local historian Franz Xaver von Schönwerth (1810-1886) in the Bavarian region of Oberpfalz at about the same time as the Grimm brothers were collecting the fairytales that have since charmed adults and children around the world.

In 1885, Jacob Grimm said this about him: "Nowhere in the whole of Germany is anyone collecting [folklore] so accurately, thoroughly and with such a sensitive ear." Grimm went so far as to tell King Maximilian II of Bavaria that the only person who could replace him in his and his brother's work was Von Schönwerth.