Did you know that within the 1st 7 seconds of someone meeting you, they immediately formulate an opinion about you in their heads?
That’s why I bet, on day 1 of your current job you were at the top of your game.
- You put your best foot forward before you even walked in the door of your new job because you were prepared to wow.
- You woke up before the crack of dawn to make sure you were fully prepared.
- You arrived half an hour early – or more.
- You dressed to impress.
- You smelled great.
- You smiled more than usual.
- You double-checked everything you did to make sure you made no errors.
- You produced quality work in record time.
- You asked a lot of questions to show interest, curiosity and enthusiasm.
You were all these great things because you were very aware of the importance of that first impression.
You knew that you were being judged by your colleagues, peers and leaders based on your words, behaviour, body language and mannerisms; especially as the new kid in town.
But what happens when you get comfortable on the job, and you’re beginning to feel yourself lose the zeal, momentum and desire to keep up appearances because you’re looking to leave that occupation as soon as humanly possible?
How do you maintain a good impression on your boss?
One day you’ll just be a memory for some people. Try your best to make it a good one.
In my experience, whilst I was still working for someone else but could feel myself losing the joy and enthusiasm that I originally had, I spiralled.
I began to interact less and less with my peers and chose to keep to myself a lot more.
Instead of doing what I was supposed to do for my boss, I began to do my own thing on the side – my phone was in my hand way more than it should have been. I also began working at a slower pace and I wasn’t excited about anything anymore.
I just hated going to an office environment that I strongly disliked every day, where I felt like I wasn’t growing and my skills weren’t being properly utilised. And it showed!
So how do you maintain a good impression on the job whilst secretly plotting an escape?
Instead of resorting to poor behaviour like I did, these are the main things I wish I had maintained to keep me going whilst I prepared to leave.
If I could turn back time with the mindset that I have now, this is what I would have done.
Before we dive in, make sure you grab your free gift of Confidence, Charisma & Social Power right here…
Maintain a Good Impression With Your Dress
I’m the kind of person who LOVES to play dress up. I enjoy looking professional and put-together, and it makes me feel good about myself.
However, as my attitude towards my job changed, I found that my attire changed as well. I stopped putting in the effort that I used to with my clothing, accessories, hair and make-up. Big mistake!
Dressing less than my best did nothing to make me feel better about my situation.
Instead, regardless of how you feel toward your work environment, always make an effort with your appearance. Keep dressing in a way that makes you look good and feel good.
If that means wearing those kitten heels instead of ballet flats, wear those kitten heels. If that means putting on a bit of eye-shadow and lipstick instead of just lip-gloss and an un-coated eye, rock that eye shadow and lipstick.
If it means wearing a tie with cufflinks instead of a button-down shirt with no jacket, wear the tie and cufflinks. If it means grooming your hair in the morning instead of rolling with the messy look, get dressed a few minutes earlier to make sure your hair looks great.
Dressing well for your job despite your internal dissatisfaction makes sure that your boss continues to see you as a professional, poised and polished team player who knows how to carry himself or herself on the job.
Just by looking at you, he or she will continue to feel good about you, and you’ll feel good about yourself.
Depending on the dress code for your environment, dress for the job that you want, not the job that you have.
Let that be your guide.
Maintain a Good Impression With Your Body Language
However, we all know that body language is so important in a work environment. Whether you’re at the front desk dealing with many people a day or in the back office somewhere hidden behind the scenes, it’s crucial to be mindful of your behaviour, posture and mannerisms.
So, just incase you’re like me and tend to become withdrawn, introverted and live in your head when you’re not pleased or happy about s”!
1. Smile anyway
The grumpy, sad, annoyed or forlorn look is not sexy! Although you may not feel like it, continue to maintain your pearly whites. It will make people judge you as friendly, warm, inviting and approachable. No boss wants to deal with someone who’s a grump or a grouch.
2. Make eye contact anyway
Maintaining eye contact is a powerful mechanism because it produces feelings of likability and trustworthiness; it portrays confidence; and it has the potential to establish hierarchy, dominance and power. Being able to look people in the eye, especially your boss, is a strength that continues to establish you as a confident employee.
3. Be open anyway
Maintaining a loose, relaxed posture instead of becoming uptight will allow your co-workers to continue to feel much more comfortable being around you, and will make you feel more relaxed in your environment as well. Work relationships are so important, so don’t distance yourself from them, unless they’re toxic and unhealthy of course.
READ MORE: Top 5 Unbeatable Law of Attraction Rituals to Easily Manifest Bold Self-Confidence Fast
Maintain a Good Impression With Your Work Ethic
In previous employment, it was my default nature to increasingly produce less than top quality work as I grew to dislike my office environment more and more. I just began to care less and less.
This came as a surprise to me because I’m naturally a big proponent in having a strong work ethic regardless of what you’re doing.
Being a great friend, partner, entrepreneur, employee – it all takes work whether you like it or not. It takes conscious time, energy, effort, investment, skill, intellect, emotional intelligence – you name it!
So if you find that your work ethic isn’t where it once was, here’s what you should continue to do, or maybe even begin to do…
1. Volunteer
You opened yourself up to additional work and opportunities in the beginning right? Don’t stop that although you know you’re checked out mentally and are preparing to check out physically someday soon.
Once your plate can handle it, volunteer for new tasks, roles, committees and social clubs. Keep yourself busy. Time passes a lot faster that way.
Demonstrate your leadership, be a team player and meet other colleagues whose skills may help you in your own business (you never know).
Bosses always look favourably upon employees who willingly go the extra mile.
2. Be a Problem Solver
Continue to take an interest in office happenings.
When there’s a workplace crisis, spring into action to fix it. Be a part of office solutions. Choosing to be an innocent bystander who doesn’t really care will only make you feel worse.
But by being involved in office activities and occurrences, and actually contributing to it will make you feel like a worthy team player and your boss will undoubtedly look favourably upon you.
Bosses love fixers.
3. Make High Quality your Standard
From answering the office telephone to the type of work you produce for your boss, it should always be top quality.
Again, this means putting in the time, effort, energy, intellect and all other resources necessary to produce a top-class body of work. Don’t let that high level of professionalism falter and fall away as time goes on.
Oh, and that cell phone? Don’t let it distract you when you’re doing your job.
Bosses love the employees they can count on.
Maintain a Good Impression With Your Positive Mental Attitude
I lived in my head a lot when I was unhappy with the direction in which my career was going. I was constantly thinking about how much I wasn’t satisfied, about what I would prefer to be doing instead of sitting at my desk, and constantly brainstorming the different paths I could take to get out.
Needless to say, this mental chatter didn’t give me the best mental attitude when I showed up for work. Plus, it never helped when I was faced with the on-the-job pressures and stresses which met me as I entered the doors.
Instead, choosing to maintain a positive mental attitude and mood at work would have taken me a lot further. I would have dealt with daily work occurrences in a calmer, more balanced manner.
Additionally, I would have been way more pleasant, communicative and conversational than I actually was.
This is what I want for you. Radiating enthusiasm regardless of what’s going on in your head will show through to everyone you come into contact with, including your manager.
Over to You
Not giving up on these four areas would have made a huge difference in my office happiness if I decided to follow through on them instead of internalizing how negatively I felt about my circumstances and allowing it to affect me outwardly.
I don’t want that for you.
These are crucial areas you should never miss.
By maintaining a positive mental attitude, inviting body language, a strong sense of style and a top-notch work ethic, your boss will continue to see you as an asset to the team, and not a liability.
By respecting the job till the end, it shows that you give your best and put your best foot forward no matter what.
These are great traits to develop and maintain as an employee because once you become a full-time entrepreneur, you’ll be using them more than you know.
Plus, about your escape plan?…your boss won’t suspect a thing 😉
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