How you can use them to make an unforgettable first impression

You form rapid judgments about people you meet or observe in less than a second.

You determine whether they are liked, attractive, competent, trustworthy, or aggressive.

It's fine; we all do it.

Thin slicing is a psychological phenomenon that highlights the human tendency to form opinions about people based on a small portion of their interactions with you.

Yes, it may appear to be unjust. However, from an evolutionary standpoint, it is just more efficient.

And the good news is that you have control over how others perceive you, which can help you get the results you desire professionally, socially, or in your romantic life.

So, what should you focus on more closely? Continue reading to find out.

Hands and feet reveal your true inner state

Imagine you’re waiting for an interview to start.

Your foot is bouncing up and down as your hands fidget with the pen in front of you.

You’re nervous, and it’s obvious.

Body language experts claim that your hands and feet are the true windows into the mind and transmit your inner state more accurately than facial expressions.

That’s because your hands and feet are the parts of your body that developed over millions of years to quickly react to perceived threats so you’re ready to take action.

They’re your body’s “first responders” and therefore the hardest to control when you feel nervous or self-conscious.

As a result, they’re often the most revealing, too. FBI interviewers are trained to rely on the hands and feet more than the face to determine when someone is lying.

One look at someone’s fidgeting hands can tell you they’re anxious, even if they’re smiling.

Fortunately, there’s a simple solution.

When in doubt, keep your hands and feet calm. It might be hard at first, but with time it’ll become a habit and you’ll instantly appear more collected and confident.

Your posture when you sit or stand

When I was 12, I had to wear an elastic back brace to improve my posture.

Since then, I have always noticed other people’s posture and it’s truly shocking how many people walk around or sit hunched over.

That’s funny because the single easiest way to transform your entire appearance is to simply stand up straight. If you’re slouched over with your shoulders forward, everything just looks worse.

And when so many people have poor posture, you’ll stand out as looking more confident and self-assured by standing up tall or sitting with your back straight.

An added benefit?

Good posture lifts your rib cage which helps your internal organs function properly. So if you’re prone to migraines, poor digestion, or often feel like you don’t get enough air, pay attention to your posture.

How you wear your clothes

I once had a colleague who came to work wearing incredible outfits. She looked impeccable and stood out for her style.

The only problem?

Her shoes.

The shoes she wore always looked worn, dirty, and ragged. It was so out of step with the rest of her appearance that it ultimately made everything look old and ragged.

Many of us don’t like to admit this, but you notice and judge the clothes people wear and how they wear them.

People always pick up on the details.

Fortunately, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on clothes to look good.

Sometimes it’s as simple as wearing clean, well-fitting, wrinkle-free outfits with a few accessories.

So think about what you want someone to think when they see you and style yourself accordingly. This is one of the best investments you can make in your appearance.

How you make eye contact

“No one can lie, no one can hide anything when he looks directly into someone’s eyes.” — Paulo Coelho

Many people feel uncomfortable with eye contact.

How many times have you noticed someone take out their phone just so they don’t have to look up at the people around them?

And yet eye contact is the single most powerful form of body language at your disposal.

When you make direct eye contact with someone, you’re seen as more persuasive, informed, truthful, sincere, and credible.

You don’t have to stare, but look people directly in the eyes and you’ll immediately project confidence and extroversion.

What’s more, according to Chinese medicine, your eyes reveal a great deal about your health. That’s why people subconsciously look at each other’s eyes to gauge overall well-being.

Simply put, direct eye contact instead of a downcast shifty gaze will improve the first impression you make in just about every context.

The way you move through space

I have a friend who’s an experienced diving instructor. He says he knows what kind of diver someone will be the moment he sees them move underwater.

He can tell right away if they’re likely to panic or if they’ll be calm and relaxed.

The same is true on land.

How you move, specifically the way you walk reflects your state of mind and how you think. In fact, studies have found that walking speed reflects your personality.

Don’t believe me?

Go sit at an outdoor cafe or on a park bench and spend a few minutes looking at the way people walk. You’ll be surprised how quickly you get a sense of what each person is like.

What does your walk say about you?

Take a video of yourself walking if you have to, or ask a friend how they would describe your walk.

Might seem silly at first, but it’s one of the main ways people paint a picture of your personality in their mind, so you might as well make sure you’re saying what you want to say.

The energy you project

Your energy is like a magnetic field around you, it can either repel or attract people.

However, most people don’t know how to intentionally create the type of emotional and energetic state you want to broadcast to the world.

Mirror neurons pick up on emotional states, which means others can tap into how you’re feeling.

As a result, you might project anger, stress, or anxiety without realizing how it affects others when they spend a few moments around you.

Why is that?

It all comes down to mirror neurons. These neurons fire when you see someone act in a certain way. When the person in front of you takes a sip of water, you instinctively reach for your water glass.

Turns out, mirror neurons also pick up on emotional states which means others can tap into how you’re feeling. It all happens on a subconscious level, and obviously, you’re naturally more drawn to those who make you feel relaxed, happy, or confident.

It’s true. Out of the points listed, this one is the hardest to control.

However, it’s also the most important. If your energy is positive and vibrant, people can overlook pretty much anything.

Final thoughts

People often complain about making bad first impressions.

Or they’ll get frustrated when the way they come across to other people is not in line with how they see themselves.

Yes, we all misread and misjudge people all the time.

And yet, making snap judgments about each other is just in our human nature.

So if you want to have more control over how other people see you from the very start, pay attention to these simple factors and make sure they line up with how you want to be seen.