The Power of Prima Facie: Learning to Trust Your First Impressions

With couple of LImericks and Haiku

Have you ever had a gut feeling about someone or something, only to second-guess yourself later on? That feeling, known as prima facie, is a Latin term that means “at first sight.” It’s the initial impression or intuition we have about someone or something, before we have all the facts and evidence.

While prima facie may not always be accurate, it can be a powerful tool in decision-making. Research shows that our first impressions are often more accurate than we think. In one study, participants were shown a series of faces for just one second each, and asked to rate them on a variety of traits. Remarkably, their judgments were consistent with the opinions of those who had known the people in the photos for years.

So why do we often discount our first impressions? Perhaps it’s because we’re taught to be analytical and logical in our decision-making, to weigh all the evidence before coming to a conclusion. But sometimes, our intuition can be just as valuable, if not more so.

Of course, there are times when we need to delve deeper and gather more information before making a decision. But we should also learn to trust our instincts and give more weight to our initial impressions.

This is particularly important when it comes to the choices we make in our youth. As Oscar Wilde famously said, “The excesses of our youth are drafts upon our old age, payable with interest, about thirty years after date.” In other words, the decisions we make in our early years can have a profound impact on our future selves.

It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and make choices that seem exciting or fun at the time, without considering the long-term consequences. But as we age, we begin to see the effects of those choices, and often wish we had made different ones.

That’s why it’s so important to be mindful of our decisions, even in our youth. We should strive to make choices that align with our values and goals, rather than just following the crowd or seeking instant gratification.

As you navigate life, remember to trust your gut, listen to your intuition, and be mindful of the choices you make. And if you do make a mistake, remember the words of Anne Lamott: “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”

Haiku:
First impressions count
Gut feelings can guide us well
Trust your intuition

Limerick 1:
When making a choice, take your time
Don’t rush in, or you’ll pay the fine
With youth’s excesses
You’ll make some messes
So choose wisely, and you’ll do just fine

Limerick 2:
Prima facie, a powerful tool
Trust your gut, don’t play the fool
Listen to your intuition
For the right decision
And you’ll find success, cool and cruel