Another feel-good, pseudo-psychological self-help article.
But it does touch on an interesting phenomenon about reputation. This explains particularly well why good students in high-school and college are more likely to continue to do well.
High-achievers in general (once they achieve the status of a "high-achiever" in the eyes of their teachers) are more likely to be graded higher than others because of the assumption they will do well. (I haven't got a source, but I do remember reading about this a while ago).
I think this does apply in the workplace as well. Once you have a reputation for being a hard-worker, knowledgable in a particular area, efficient with your time, etc. managers will be more lenient of you when you slip up, or assume you just need a breather if you leave early or take longer breaks for a little while. It definitely pays off to create a good first-impression of you and your work ethic from the very start.
"You only get one chance to make a first impression."
That used to make me really mad when I heard it. I thought that everyone should have someone take the time to get to know them before judging them.
I'm a bit older now and I realize a couple of things:
* people are darn busy and likely to do what is most convenient for them. This makes the statement true.
* a good first impression can come of just caring about the person you are meeting as a person. This makes the statement less relevant, because you don't have to 'impress' the person, you have to connect to them.
But it does touch on an interesting phenomenon about reputation. This explains particularly well why good students in high-school and college are more likely to continue to do well.
High-achievers in general (once they achieve the status of a "high-achiever" in the eyes of their teachers) are more likely to be graded higher than others because of the assumption they will do well. (I haven't got a source, but I do remember reading about this a while ago).
I think this does apply in the workplace as well. Once you have a reputation for being a hard-worker, knowledgable in a particular area, efficient with your time, etc. managers will be more lenient of you when you slip up, or assume you just need a breather if you leave early or take longer breaks for a little while. It definitely pays off to create a good first-impression of you and your work ethic from the very start.