Today I want to focus on how to appear more confident. It's pretty easy to show our nervousness or anxiety if we're doing something we're not quite comfortable with. I know I get butterflies in my stomach sometimes when I'm interviewing a new hire, or speaking with a potential client. Confidence is something that some people can just easily exude while other people have to have it coaxed out of them. It doesn't matter which type you are, confidence is something that will help in almost any situation. Whether it's the boardroom, a coffee meeting with a client, or even just a job interview, confidence can smooth over any situation and help you to feel successful. So I want to share some tips I have for how to appear more confident in any situation. Some of them might feel weird, but they really do work!
1. Power poses
Power poses were all the rage a few years ago, and there's a reason for that. They can actually work! The poses manipulate your body language to help you appear more open and confident. You hold these positions for at least 5 seconds, and use these poses to help naturally boost your confidence. Example positions include the Wonderwoman (feet shoulder-length apart with your hands on your hips in fists and chest puffed out) or the victory V (standing with your feet shoulder-length apart and your arms stretched out in a V shape above your head). These positions may not work for everyone, but there are so many positions out there that you'll easily be able to find the right one for you. If you want to learn more about power poses, you can find them here.
In one of my previous blogs, I go into further detail about using your clothes to help boost your confidence. Basically, the idea is "fake it till you make it." If you're dressed like a successful businessman/woman, you'll feel more successful as a businessman/woman. If you're about to go into a stressful situation, wear something that reads "success." It can be a pencil skirt, dress, slacks, suit, tie, loafers, pretty much anything. Also, make sure you know the situation you're about to get into. Is it a formal conference? A casual coffee? A board meeting? Make sure to dress appropriately for each situation, but allow your wardrobe to give you a boost in confidence.
3. Make Eye Contact
This may be hard for some people, but making eye contact with people will give impressions of interest, as well as confidence and energy. Eye contact can be difficult, especially if you're shy, but it really does help to make you appear more confident and make you look like you know what you're talking about.
4. Speak up
This is an important one especially if you're shorter or shyer. People who are shorter tend to have quieter personalities. If you're quieter, you can easily get steamrolled by someone who is louder or taller. Make sure to speak up if you have something to say. A louder voice shows more confidence, a quieter voice implies nervousness. Along with a loud voice, use your body language to show your confidence. Stepping closer to your audience, or opening up your body language (by uncrossing your arms or widening your stance) can help to appear more confident as well.
5. Use "props" if you need to
What do I mean by props? I mean things like coffee cups, pens, paper, or anything else you may carry in your hands. These can help you take pauses (if you're pausing to take a sip of water) or hold if you have nervous fingers that shake or twitch. Holding something in your hands can trick your mind into thinking you have control of something, and therefore make you feel more confident. Plus, you look more prepared with props, which can help as well!
There are obviously many more tips out there on how to appear more confident, but I hope these can help you to stand out and succeed in whatever situation you're in. These tips are simple and can be incorporated very easily into any situation. Sooner or later, you'll find that you won't need these tips anymore because you'll already be feeling more confident after enough practice!
Until next time,
Katie
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