Split Second Perceptions – The Criteria We Judge By
Last week I discussed split second perceptions can lead to split second decisions. It’s important to know what the criteria we judge by when we make these quick decisions. It’s important to know what the message is that you are sending, how people perceive you, how you can use that information to dress to send the message you want to send.
Knowing the criteria can also help you communicate with people the way they want to be communicated with. You’ll be able to read them from across the room & know something about them, because we just scream out who we are based on how we’re pulled together.
Some of these criteria include:
- Hair – length, style
- Makeup – heavy, no makeup
- Jewelry – type, kind
- Clothing – layers, tailored, colors, shoes
- Nails – length, manicured, color
- Posture – sitting or standing up straight
- Walk – slow or fast-paced
All of these things are part of the criteria we judge by. Split second perceptions are based 55% on appearance, 38% on how you carry yourself & 7% on what you say. Whether or not you get your next client can be based on these criteria.
Oh, only 7% based on what we say? Guess I have some work to do! This is quite fascinating, and yet on some level I’ve known this, if only because I know how quickly I respond to all the variables you mention. Thanks for making this so clear and accessible. (And you look very pulled together in your video!)
Judy Stone-Goldman
The Reflective Writer
http://www.thereflectivewriter.com
Great info. Would love to know how each criteria is viewed. Short hair vs. long hair, layers vs. no layers. You get the idea. Thanks for the info. ;Darcie
When I started to sell jewelry 2 years ago, I started to make more of an effort to be aware of how I looked when I left the house. I did notice people perceived me differently based on how I looked.
I also noticed that when I dressed better and wore make-up & jewelry, I stood up straight and carried myself better. Great job on the vlog. I learned a lot and look forward to the next one!
Brandy, you always make me think about what I have on! I’d like to know more about what each of these criteria mean about us!
I was telling my daughter about your site earlier, I’ll be sure to pass the link on to her!
I have to admit, I do judge people by these things. When I’m meeting with an art agent, broker or interior designer for the first time, I make a judgement on whether or not I want to work with them based on their appearance. Not their looks, but how they dress and carry themselves. Thanks for the vlog. It reminds me that people are doing the same thing with me.
Hi Brandy! I loved your post! We do scream out who we are based on how we’re pulled together. Oh, so much to think about! It may seem overwhelming but we sell ourselves before we sell anything else (I made the same comment on another blog yesterday, but it’s so true!) Your list of criteria is excellent!
I really like how you address how we’re “being”. If you are at an event, but not really there, as you say, “not paying attention to the world”, it just screams “I don’t really care… about you, about being here, or about what you say. I’m not really listening!” Is that how we want to come across? Not exactly.
Whether we like it or not, we are judged by how we present ourselves. But what’s really amazing to me is that when we send a positive, put together, present, confident message, we send the same message to ourselves! You might have to fake it ‘til you make it… yet it’s good to know that as we practice the criteria you talk about, we can really change our lives and the lives of those around us! Awesome message Brandy.
Walk with confidence girlfriend! You look fantastic in your video… I would definitely do business with you.
~Theresa
Funny I should read this today. I’m a little bit of a slob really and tend to go around in jeans and a t-shirt with no make-up and jewelry. However, I had my daughters teacher conference last night and had some important things I wanted to say to the teacher. So, I wore my best jeans, a smart top, heels and a little make-up so I felt more ‘powerful’ and it worked. I’m afraid I feel too self conscious if I don’t feel like ‘me’ though so I have to pull together in a way that feels comfortable to me.
I also need to pull myself together a little more when I meet new clients who are going to host Au pairs.
Louise Edington
International Au pair Finder
Brandy, a timely post. I need to tuneup my initial impression criteria of women because I have just become the 14th male member of the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis. I will be meeting many of the 450 members over the next few months.
Brandy, I’m feeling very conflicted about your post. I believe everything you’re saying because I judge people on what they look like, but I’ve having trouble with “why do we have to judge people at all on their appearance?” Almost defiantly, I don’t have a french manicure because I don’t want to look like all the other suburban women in my town. I don’t want to be like everyone else and people should judge me on what I’m about and not what I wear.
I’m trying not to make negative judgments about myself or others, but I know the world we live in is not that way. However, I do believe that when I dress up and look good it does effect my mood. I just wish we didn’t have to do all that to feel good. We should feel good inside about ourselves no matter what we’re wearing.
I also would like to know about what hairstyles reflect what kind of judgment.
Brandy, you are a natural on video! I believe what you say and have seen it in action, especially for myself. I try not to be judgemental about people, but it is true that I form a perception based on how the person presents themself, so I know that is true for others meeting me as well. It would be interesting to learn more about what particular hair styles or makeup, etc. elicit what types of perceptions/responses from people!
Hi Brandy! I loved your post! We do scream out who we are based on how we’re pulled together. Oh, so much to think about! It may seem overwhelming but we sell ourselves before we sell anything else (I made the same comment on another blog yesterday, but it’s so true!) Your list of criteria is excellent!
I really like how you address how we’re “being”. If you are at an event, but not really there, as you say, “not paying attention to the world”, it just screams “I don’t really care… about you, about being here, or about what you say. I’m not really listening!” Is that how we want to come across? Not exactly.
Whether we like it or not, we are judged by how we present ourselves. But what’s really amazing to me is that when we send a positive, put together, present, confident message, we send the same message to ourselves! You might have to fake it ‘til you make it… yet it’s good to know that as we practice the criteria you talk about, we can really change our lives and the lives of those around us! Awesome message Brandy.
Walk with confidence!
~Theresa
Brandy, you are a natural vlogger! Good job with the video (quality and sound are excellent, which isn’t always the case with vlogs).
I have to echo Chris’s comments… Maybe it’s the rebel in me, but I don’t want to look or dress like the masses. Maybe I’m misinterpreting your message, but it sounds like there are specific “categories” one must fit in order to be viewed as respectable or, maybe even worthy.
I love how you used the example of putting on “happy” jewelry to enhance your mood. now that, I understand