First Impressions

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression!” Ever hear that phrase before? So have I!

It was true when I was five years old and it still is today. However, “Every day you have a chance to make your first impression” might suit us a little better.

Very few people doubt the validity of making an impression in any environment. So, what is the first impression of the dojo…

• … to a seasoned student?

• … to a new student?

• … to the parent of a student?

• … to the spouse of a student?

What do they see?

Do they see the amazing physical abilities of the Instructors and Assistant Instructors?

Are they impressed by the cleanliness of the dojo?

Are they blown away by the professional and friendly attitude of class members?

How quickly are you to shake a student’s hand and introduce yourself to a parent, student, sibling or friend of a student?

While thinking about all this, remember that more of perception is what any new or seasoned student is reading off of you! I’m sure you all remember the three laws of Perception:

• BODY LANGUAGE

• VOICE INFLECTION

• FACIAL EXPRESSION

Whenever you think of it, do a little drill that Mr. Durkin has told me to do every day. When you first walk into the dojo, the shoe room, or any place in the dojo, pretend that you are coming into the room for the first time. How does it look? Try and think of one thing that could be done to improve what you see.

Remember, it is the first impression that people will remember the most. The second a student walks through those doors, they are ready for their first impression of us! So, let’s have ours be second to none!