4 Ways to Always Leave a Positive Impression

It's always a plus to exit a meeting having left a positive impression with those you've spent the last chunk of time with. Naturally, unless you are in cahoots with the fly on the wall, you may never know what sort of impression you've left, be it good or bad.

That said, by implementing these 4 tips, you will give yourself a better chance of leaving your meeting with confidence and walk away leaving everyone feeling better for having spent time with you.

These tips can be perfected by anyone as long as you are proactive in prepping beforehand and you keep your cool so you remember to stay on track. Small details as well as the big picture matter and when you've got a firm grip on how you handle yourself amongst others, it shows.

It's time to leave that positive impression behind as you make your grand exit.

1. Be Punctual

Being "fashionably late" has gone out of fashion. Get your act together and show up on time, if not a few minutes early. As per Forbes, "Tardiness can throw off the entire karma of a meeting and nobody wins."

Consider the time of day, traffic congestion, getting the kids to school, weather conditions, etc. Your excuse for being late due to the storm won't go over well when the rest of the group has been waiting for you, dried off and warm for 20 minutes. If they made it in, so can you.

According to MindTools, "Arriving early is much better that arriving late, hands down, and is the first step in creating a great first impression."

2. Be Presentable

Of course, your intellect, personality, wit, and wisdom are what you're aiming to "show off" to those around you, but if they are distracted by your stained slacks or revealing blouse, you may leave an impression, but not the one you'd aimed to.

As per MindTools, "Appropriate dressing and grooming help make a good first impression and also help you feel 'the part', and so you feel more calm and confident." You don't have to be a carbon copy of everyone around you, but stick with what's generally acceptable for the field you are in and the occasion of the meeting.

Forbes notes, "Your style is a signal that you can be trusted to behave and stay focused -- make sure what you wear reflects that."

3. Prove You're Listening

You don't have to be constantly speaking in order to leave a good impression. Listen, process, learn, and communicate with a firm foundation. Unless your meeting is a presentation you're giving, the room should be a place where there is give and take, with an understood takeaway.

Careful listening shows you are in it to win it and believe that your colleagues have valuable ideas you can learn from. As per Bosstaff, "Both colleagues and clients will appreciate you more and trust your input when they see you actually care about the work at hand." MindTools adds, "Good manners and polite, attentive and courteous behavior help make a good first impression." And that means listening intently to show you are a team player.

4. Convey Passion and Confidence

A love for what you do and a go-getter attitude is always looked upon positively. As Bosstaff notes, "If you communicate with passion and believe in what you're suggesting, you will earn the respect of others and managers will remember you when it comes time to make promotions. Be the leader and create a plan of action."

As per MindTools, "Project a positive attitude, even in the face of criticism or in the case of nervousness. Strive to learn from your meeting and to contribute appropriately, maintaining an upbeat manner and a smile."

A drive to succeed and a plan to make it happen is contagious. Be remembered as the one who strives for perfection and perseveres through even the toughest of challenges.

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Where to Donate to Support Afghanistan and Haiti

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NBC

Over the past month, both Haiti and Afghanistan have been pummeled by tragic disasters that left devastation in their wake.

In Haiti, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake erupted, leading over to 2,189 deaths and counting. A few hours later, in Afghanistan, Kabul fell to the Taliban just after U.S. troops had pulled out after 20 years of war.

In many ways, these disasters are both chillingly connected to US interference. The United States invaded Haiti in 1915, ostensibly promising to restore order after a presidential assassination but really intending to preserve the route to the Panama Canal and to defend US creditors, among other reasons.

But the US forces soon realized that they were not able to control the country alone, and so formed an army of Haitian enlistees, powered by US air power and intended to quell Haitian insurrection against US controls. Then, in 1934, the US pulled out on its own, disappointed with how slow progress was going. Haiti's institutions were never really able to rebuild themselves, leaving them immensely vulnerable to natural disasters.

Something similar happened in Afghanistan, where the US sent troops and supported an insurgent Afghan army – only to pull out, abandoning the country they left in ruins, with many Afghans supporting the Taliban.

In both cases, defense contractors benefited by far the most from the conflict, making billions in profits while civilians faced fallout and devastation. While the conflicts and circumstances are extremely different and while the US is obviously not solely to blame for either crisis, it's hard not to see the US-based roots of these disasters.

Today, in Haiti and Afghanistan, civilians are facing unimaginable tragedy.

Here are charities offering support in Afghanistan:

1. The International Rescue Committee is looking to raise $10 million to deliver aid directly to Afghanistan

2. CARE is matching donations for an Afghanistan relief fund. They are providing food, shelter, and water to families in need; a donation of $89.50 covers 1 family's emergency needs for a month.

3. Women for Women International is matching donations up to 500,000 for Afghan women, who will be facing unimaginable horrors under Taliban control.


4. AfghanAid offers support for people living in remote regions of Afghanistan.

5. VitalVoices supports female leaders and changemakers and survivors of gender-based violence around the world.

Here are charities offering support in Haiti:

1. Partners in Health has been working with Haiti for a long time, and they work with the Department of Health rather than around them, which is extremely important in a charity.

2. Health Equity International helps run Saint Boniface Hospital, a hospital in Haiti close to the earthquake's epicenter.

3. SOIL is an organization based Haiti, "a local organization with a track record of supporting after natural disasters." They are distributing hygiene kits and provisions on the ground to hospitals and to victims of the earthquake.

4. Hope for Haiti has been working in emergency response in Haiti for three decades, and their team is comprised of people who live and work in Haiti. They focus on supporting children and people in need across Haiti.

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How the Beyoncé and Jay Z Controversy Shows Gen Z's Money Priorities

via Tiffany & Co.

When the new Tiffany's campaign was unveiled, reactions were mixed.

Tiffany's, the iconic jewelry brand which does not (despite what some might be misled to believe) in fact serve breakfast, featured Jay Z, Beyoncé, and a rare Basquiat painting in their recent campaign.

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How to Save Money on a Road Trip

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Stacker.com

Road trips can be a lot of fun — but they can also drain your wallet quickly if you aren't careful.

From high gas costs and park admission fares to lodging and the price of eating out every night, the expenses can add up quickly. But at the same time, it's very possible to do road trips cheaply and efficiently. Without the headache of worrying about how much money you're leaking, you can enjoy the open road a whole lot more. Here's how to save money on a road trip.

1. Prepare Your Budget, Route, and Packing List in Advance

If you want to save money on a road trip, be sure you're ready to go. Try to count up all your expenses before you hit the road and create a budget. It's also a good idea to plan your route in advance so you don't end up taking unnecessary, gas-guzzling detours. And finally, be sure to pack in advance so you don't find yourself having to buy tons of things you forgot along the way.

2. Book Cheap Accommodations — Or Try Camping

All those motel rooms can add up surprisingly quick, but camping is often cheap or free, and it's a great way to get intimate with the place you're visiting. You can check the Bureau of Land Management's website for free campsites. Freecampsite.com also provides great information on If you don't have a tent or don't want to camp every night, try booking cheap Airbnbs or booking hotels in advance, making sure to compare prices.

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If you're planning on sleeping in your car, a few tips: WalMart allows all-night parking, as do many 24-hour gyms. (Buying a membership to Planet Fitness or something like it also gives you a great place to stop, shower, and recharge while on the road).

3. Bring Food From Home

Don't go on a road trip expecting to subsist on fast food alone. You'll wind up feeling like shit, and it'll drain your pocketbook stunningly quickly. Instead, be sure to bring food from home. Consider buying a gas stove and a coffee pot for easy on-the-go meals, and make sure you bring substantial snacks to satiate midday or late night cravings so you can avoid getting those late night Mickey D's expeditions.

Try bringing your own cooler, filling it with easy stuff for breakfast and lunch — some bread and peanut butter and jelly will go a long way. Bring your own utensils, plates, and napkins, and avoid buying bottled water by packing some big water jugs and a reusable water bottle. Alternatively, try staying at hotels or Airbnbs with kitchens so you can cook there.

4. Avoid Tolls

Apps like Google Maps and Waze point out toll locations, so be sure to avoid those to save those pennies. (If it takes you too far off route, you might have to bite the bullet and drive across that expensive bridge).

You can also save on parking fees by using sites like Parkopedia.

Road Trip Road TripThe Orange Backpack


5. Save on Gas

Gas can get pricy incredibly fast, so be sure that you're stopping at cheap gas stations. Free apps like GasBuddy help you find the most affordable gas prices in the area. Also, try going the speed limit on the highways — anything faster will burn through your tank. Be sure that you don't wait till you arrive at touristy locations or big cities to fill up.

6. Get a National Park Pass

All those parks can get really expensive really fast. If you're planning on visiting three or more parks, it's a great idea to get an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass. For $80 you can get into every National Park for one year.

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