Boost Your Confidence:
Confidence is the “con” in con artist. It is a crucial skill for career advancement, as it is a crucial skill in relationships, especially in the early stages of courtship. But it’s not just about how you feel. How you present yourself to others, including your body language and behavior, can greatly impact how confident you appear. It’s the swagger, the look, and the self-belief. Or rather, seeming self-belief.
You see, you don’t need to be totally confident to appear confident. Yet ironically, the more confident you appear, the more confident you become. So how best can you boost your confidence, and ultimately become truly confident? Let’s properly explore the five research-backed tricks to help you exude self-confidence and boost your chances of finding a fulfilling connection with someone:
Posture: The Foundation of Confidence
When you’re feeling insecure, your body naturally takes on a position of low power. You start to slouch, you look everywhere but up, and your arms are tightly held against your body, either by the side, folded across the front, or clasped behind you. To combat this, try and stand up straight, pull your shoulders back, and pick up your chin. This will not only help boost your confidence but also project self-assuredness to others.
Interestingly, a 2010 study by Harvard and Columbia Universities found that open body language like a good posture can increase testosterone, reduce cortisol, and make you feel more powerful.
Boost your confidence with a smile
According to a famous American actress, Phyllis Diller, “A smile is a curve that sets everything straight”. Everything including a slouched spine! So straighten up and smile. It can make you happier and more confident. When you smile, your brain releases endorphins, which are happy hormones. But more to the point, smiling also conveys confidence and makes you appear friendly, approachable, and composed.
Best of all, it costs absolutely nothing. It’s the key to confidence you find right under your nose!
Speak Slowly and Clearly: The Art of Confident Communication
When you’re nervous or under pressure, you may speak a little too quickly and inaudibly. While this is a normal reaction, it only reflects nerves, feelings of insecurity, and a lack of self-assuredness. Speaking slowly and clearly, with strategic pauses, can make you appear more confident and composed.
Some people count to 5 or even 10 before responding to a question, simply giving themselves time to compose and comport themselves properly and confidently. Done properly, it almost doesn’t matter what you’re saying. People will see you as confident and therefore on top of your game.
Let’s briefly talk about a habit many women display; yes, more women than men tend to display this speaking habit. It’s the validation-seeking response. Its answers or comments made with phrases like “I think”, “I’m not sure, but…”, or responses given in an unsure questioning tone.
The response seeks confirmation from the listener. Unfortunately, this behavior suggests a strong lack of confidence and is easily picked up by a discerning listener.
Walk with Confidence: The Power of Purposeful Movement
Your walk can project confidence and purpose. A person’s movements and carriage can be influenced by their emotions, which in turn can affect how others view them. Walking faster and with purpose can lead to a perception of higher status. Additionally, striding with slightly longer steps can show that you’re purposeful and know where you’re going.
So walk tall, regardless of your height. Think Tina Turner; or Tom Cruise, who is probably shorter than most readers, male or female. But you’d never guess from his carriage and comportment, would you?
Eye Contact: The Single Greatest Indicator of Confidence
Strong eye contact is the single greatest indicator of confidence. It is also the most difficult to master. Yet, it establishes a connection, shows sincerity, and projects self-esteem, assertiveness, and confidence. According to Dr. Lillian Glass, a body language expert and author of “The Body Language Advantage,” eye contact can also make you appear more likeable, attractive, attentive, trustworthy, and memorable.
Note of warning though: extreme eye contact can make you seem more than a little creepy. You don’t want to frighten people off by staring at them too intently when they speak. But, when interacting with others, make sure to use eye contact effectively, not excessively.
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By incorporating these five research-backed tricks into your daily life, you can boost your confidence and potential connections of all kinds. Remember, confidence is not just how you feel, but also how you present yourself to others.
