Building self-confidence and self-esteem are life-long, daily activities that will benefit you and improve your life. Simple things like getting enough sleep and wearing comfortable clothing that you like can make a world of difference in how we feel about ourselves and how we interact with the world around us.
However, we all have times when we feel nervous, lack confidence, or are anxious about interaction with others. These are the times when we must learn how to fake confidence so others won’t know just how unsure we are feeling.
Why You Should Fake It
People are mesmerized when others express themselves with conviction. Come across with confidence and others will even overlook minor flaws or mistakes. Plus, as others recognize your (fake) confidence, their belief in you will build your (real) confidence and spur you on to achieve and feel good about yourself at the same time.
All About Body Language
So much of communication is non-verbal. We display our inner world not through our words, but how we hold our bodies. If you slouch, cross your arms, and look at the floor, others in the room know you are unsure and will take you less seriously.
When you want to exude confidence, stand up straight and hold your head high. Keep your arms at your sides instead of crossing them in front of you. Crossing your arms is a sign of insecurity or need to close off of from others; confident people don’t need to protect themselves with crossed arms. If it is difficult to keep your arms at your sides, try clasping your hands behind you back, or putting your hands in your blazer’s pockets.
Pay attention to your shoulders, too. Pull them back and keep them relaxed, not hunched forward. And of course, avoid fidgeting or chewing on your nails. Practice different postures in front of a full-length mirror and you will see the difference!
Tone of Voice
Tone of voice and manner of speaking are important. Confident people listen to others, and consider how they respond before speaking. Don’t jump at the chance to “chime in” during discussions; rather, wait your turn and speak calmly. While we don’t recommend becoming a robot, maintain a measured tone when speaking. Raising your voice may offend others and cause them to stop listening. An even tone of voice will encourage others to listen and make you sound confident and knowledgeable.
Eye Contact
Eye contact is important, but don’t overdo it. You need to hold your head up and look people in the eye to appear confident. However, you also want to avoid a staring contest. Best practice is to avoid staring at the ground, but don’t stare into someone’s eyes counting seconds to have “enough” eye contact.
Tell Us What You Think
What other tips would you add to this list? We want to hear from you. Tell us your thoughts in the comments or join the conversation on Twitter.
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