After all, it takes about three seconds to form the first impression, she added.
Ms Lim's first book of dating tips for single ladies aims to inform women about the various dating myths and pitfalls, and how to meet and choose the right man.
The self-proclaimed dating expert also lists tips single women can employ to increase their eligibility, which is based on Ms Lim's experience as the chief executive of the six-year-old dating agency.
Ms Lim, a mother of two, said she decided to write the book because she believes many single ladies do not know how to increase their own chances and eligibility.
"We work such long hours these days. If we don't create opportunities for ourselves, (being left on the shelf) will be a reality."
She added that all that matters is the outcome, which is to get married.
But is marriage the be all and end all? Ms Lim said you wouldn't be reading her book if getting hitched is not your goal.
"Of course I want to help people get married and they are my target audience," explained Ms Lim, who also co-founded speed dating website Eteract.com.
Odds in your favour
She believes single women should employ the same strategy on their career planning as they do for their dating life, which is to "ensure the odds are in your favour".
"I want people to go beyond their comfort zone. It's about boosting one's confidence in other areas of their lives, too."
But Ms Lim cautions women against making the first move because "a man's value, his very worth (from time immemorial) was based on his ability to conquer, lead and overcome adversity".
"You can give an invitation to make the first move, but you should not make the first move."
Ms Lim also advises single ladies to create a dating journal to "keep track on your goals (which is to find Mr Right)".
She even suggests that single women create an inner circle of like-minded single people to "systemise your dating activities".
She wrote: "Every member is responsible for...using the power of the group to help them find The Right One."
But it's not just women whom Ms Lim is targeting.
She believes men, too, should make themselves more appealing to women.
Ms Lim said her second book, which is in the works, will deal with single men.
Her 'unconventional' dating tip: Do talk to strangers, but...
HOW effective are Ms Lim's tips?
We reflected a few of her pointers to some Singaporean women and men, and the general consensus is, they're unrealistic.
Ms Lim had stated in her book: Meet men everywhere and don't be afraid to talk to strangers.
She wrote: "The reason you are not meeting more people that you should be, is due to our limiting belief passed on by our parents, 'You should never talk to strangers'...
"If you are at your favourite coffee joint and you meet someone who's really interesting, you think 'anybody who buys his cappuccino at the same place is not a stranger'... you will realise that people around you are just friends that you have never met!"
To be fair, Ms Lim listed it as an "unconventional dating method" in her book.
Still, Miss Jolene Tan, a 26-year-old postgraduate student who recently got attached after a two-year break, draws the line at approaching random men and attempting conversations.
"I think it is a little too forward and may give the impression that I am easy. But smiling and being friendly won't hurt," she said.
So what does a man think about women making the first move? Freelance writer Deng Weiwen, 32, believes there should be no harm in them doing so if they're very certain of how they feel.
Get familiar first
He added that regardless of who makes the first move, it's necessary that both parties must have seen and noticed each other frequently enough at the same place before one can approach the other.
Some men we spoke to also disagreed that men are put off by a woman's domineering personality.
Mr Lee Seow Chong, a software company manager who is single and in his 40s, said: "I'm actually attracted to confident and clear-minded women who know what they want. Maybe I'm a minority."
The women we spoke to also disagreed with Ms Lim's idea of a dating calendar.
A 28-year-old woman writer, who only wanted to be known as Joanne, said: "It's not viable. It sounds like the one and only goal is to get attached.
"Creating a calendar sounds like one is a man-eater. You'd be looking at every guy as someone potential. You'd think every new encounter may amount to something. This may stop you from being yourself."
But there is one tip which the women we spoke to agreed on: That the decision to go on a second date should be based on how little one dislikes the other instead of how much one likes the other.
Miss Tan said: "Unless the thought of going out with that person is painful, I think it is worth giving the person a second shot.
"This is part of being open to experiences and trying to see the good in the other person."
This article was first published in The New Paper.
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