It is human nature to want to impress others. However, what many people don’t understand is that any conscious attempt to do so makes you appear rather…well, unimpressive.

Being aware of the fact that you have a tendency to feel the need to impress is the first step to overcoming it. So, congratulations for being vulnerable enough to admit this to yourself.

Step #1: Already accomplished.

Step #2. Show a genuine and sincere interest in others. This is, in my opinion, the most important rule of social interaction and will automatically make you an impressive person.

When you’re having a conversation with someone and the urge strikes to start going on about how great you are, just stop! Put that focus on the other person. Make THEM feel unique/ important/impressive. They will walk away thinking “wow, I feel great… I really liked talking to that guy/girl. What a cool person he/she is!!”

If you are literally making life decisions based on the level of perceived impressiveness, well that’s entirely subjective. It’s impossible to impress everyone since we all have different ideas of what is “impressive.” My advice, in this case, is that perhaps you need to find yourself more impressive because if you indeed are happy with yourself, you wouldn’t feel the need to impress others.

That being said, let’s take this a step further. Try taking notice of people that YOU find impressive. What about them impresses you? Do they blab on about how amazing they are? Probably not. Do they try really hard to be cool? Probably not. Most likely, the reason you’re drawn to them has something to do with how you feel when you’re with them, correct?

Always remember, you have the power to make someone else feel good about themselves. That is the most versatile and powerful tool in your toolbox of coolness, and it always leaves a lasting impression. Try it!