Body Language Tricks to Instantly Boost Your Confidence
Our body language shapes our experiences; if we act timidly or aren’t able to exude confidence, other people in a social setting will pick up on it. They won’t be interested in pursuing any relationship. However, showing confidence can really improve your chances of connecting with others, whether it’s a friend, romantic partner, or even a potential employer. Here are some easy tips to help you appear more confident and make better connections.
Taking Your Time
Although most prefer punctual people, there’s nothing wrong with being a few minutes late. People who take some time before making an entrance automatically command the room’s attention because they take control of the situation or event. However, pulling this off requires that you act like you will fit right in so everyone is eager to talk to you.
Stay Relaxed
An audience or social setting quickly picks up when someone is nervous because they keep fidgeting in their seat, look down, and act like they aren’t comfortable. But if you walk into a room, casually pick up a chair, and sit as you belong. Others won’t feel awkward with you and may assume you’re someone in charge.
Be Observant
Confident people aren’t shy about taking little things happening around them. If a person is sitting somewhere but doesn’t look too interested in their surroundings, they will create the impression that they’re a bit nervous to look around. But sweeping views of the room and occasionally looking to the side convey that you are comfortable and not shy.
Eye Contact
Averting your gaze is one of the biggest cues of lack of confidence. People who can’t lock eyes with their friends or others in a social setting come off as shy and nervous, so they won’t be taken seriously. However, people who frequently look into others’ eyes while talking and maintain eye contact for a few seconds exude a charm that others can’t resist.
Take Charge
Initiating conversation is a great way to take charge, but you can take it up a notch by acting like the social setting isn’t new to you. Avoid jitteriness; slow down your pace so it doesn’t look like you’re too nervous about staying in the same place, and try to act as smoothly as possible to ensure you exude confidence and charisma.
The Right Tone
The tone and pitch of our voice dictate our impression in front of others. People with a high-pitched voice are less likely to command the attention of their surroundings because it usually imitates a weak position. The deeper and lower your voice, the more attractive it is to others. Even if your voice is naturally high-pitched, try to speak in a low and steady tone so others can be attentive.
Not Looking Robotic
If you’re talking to someone and aren’t moving a muscle, you look robotic and uninterested. It also creates the impression that you’re too scared to be openly comfortable. However, occasionally gesturing toward the listener with your hand and shifting your body makes you look more confident.
The Right Gestures
Overusing gestures or using the wrong one might offend your audience. People don’t generally like others who point a finger at them literally because it puts them on the spot and looks disrespectful. However, you can still gesture toward them by joining your fingers and slightly waving your palm in their direction.
Avoiding A Questioning Tone
Speak confidently without ending the statement in a way that sounds like a question. Dragging your statement, avoiding a clear conclusion, and trailing off in the end creates the impression that you can’t hold a conversation. Instead, assert dominance by maintaining a steady tone and adding pauses only where necessary.
Smile More Often
Smiling is a simple way to show confidence and make yourself more approachable. A real, friendly smile helps you feel better and puts others at ease. Even if you’re nervous, try smiling naturally—it can help you feel more relaxed and make you seem calm and confident to others.
Speaking Slowly
Speaking of pauses, people who continue talking in a single breath give the impression that they are rushed and want to end the conversation as quickly as possible. Adding pauses and gaps to your speech creates an air of anticipation so your audience leans toward your conversation and will stick to the end.
The Correct Posture
Slouching is often seen as a sign of being overly relaxed and careless so you won’t look confident. Sit upright and as if you own the place to look confident, especially in a professional setting. However, sometimes, being too uptight can have the opposite effect. Relaxing your demeanor slightly and slouching in informal/semi-formal settings might make you more approachable.
Practice Makes Perfect
Remember that you won’t command the attention on your first try. Practice social cues and confident behavior so it doesn’t look like you’re doing it for the first time. Talk to yourself in the mirror, practice gestures, think of ways to make an entrance, and keep trying until you feel confident.
Master Your Skills
Knowing your stuff inside and out really boosts your confidence. Spend time getting really good at what you do and understanding your material. When you know you’re well-prepared, it shows in how you carry yourself.
Dress Confidently
Choosing clothes that make you feel great does more than just improve your appearance—it boosts your posture and self-confidence, too. When you wear outfits that truly reflect your style and fit comfortably, you feel more powerful and in control. Dress in a way that lets your personality shine and watch your confidence boost.
Everyone Is Different
Everyone has their own way of showing confidence. What works for one person might not work for another, so find what makes you feel comfortable and confident. Embrace your individuality and let your true self shine. Remember, confidence is personal and unique to each of us.
This article was inspired by a talk by Joe Navarro on Wired and first appeared on Rbitaliablog.
