First impressions count. In the field of communications and influence they say we only get one chance. Today, however, I’m writing about execution and a different type of impression, a physical impression – the result of an action.
In order to make any impression – to make a dent in the universe, as I lifted from Rework – we must take action. However well we plan an action, it is for naught until we take it.
But because the first impression counts, it can be hard to take action. Instead, it becomes easy to stall, delaying action while ever-planning the perfect first impression. Unfortunately, often this prevents us from making any impression at all – to paraphrase Voltaire, the perfect becomes the enemy of the good.
And without a first impression, there can be no second, third, fourth, and so on. In this context, the first impression counts because it builds the momentum required to achieve any goal. As Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu noted, “a journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”
I’ve been researching a book for years and planning a blog for months. In doing so, I’ve been talking my book, planning the steps, improving my writing, etc. But when Napoleon Hill hit my inbox last week – Don’t wait. The time will never be just right – I realized I’d made the task too big and was stalling. So, I dumbed it down and am stepping up to take action, to make a first impression.
Today 35 years ago and six weeks premature I made my first impression. Today at least six weeks premature I’m making a different type of first impression. In the field of communications and influence a first impression is only the first step to building rapport. Visit again. We’ll have more to discuss.