Becoming the most confident version of yourself starts from your perception. If you have found yourself engaging in self-deprecating thoughts and behaviours as a result of not feeling confident, now is the best time to make a change. Being confident is what most people aspire to be. Walking into a room unapologetically and captivating the attention due to your aura and energy. This can often win a lot of people over, convincing them you are trustworthy and worth idolising. In this blog, we will share some of the best hacks to appear more confident. Confidence can be a mask remember, if you can convince others you can face the world without fear, you will start to believe it yourself. Fake it till you make it, until it becomes your reality.
Show your hands when speaking
First and foremost, if you want to appear more confident when speaking to others, whether it be with family or business meetings, you should show your hands when speaking. This has been studied in psychology and has been shown to make an individual appear more trustworthy and confident about the words they are speaking. On the contrary, those who hid their hands in pockets, or rested their hands around their face and neck were noted as being perceived as unconfident, anxious and not trustworthy. So, remember when you are speaking to others, make sure your hands are where they can see them, and make small gestures to emphasise what you are saying.
Dress well
Even if you are not into superficial trends and societal fashion trends, there is no denying that a great outfit can make you feel 10 times more confident. Yes, it might mean you need to wake up a little earlier to plan your outfits, and perhaps you may need to invest in new pieces such as two-piece suits or a red dress, but you will notice how differently others treat you. Remember, you need to wear clothes that you feel good in, not just what others would prefer to see you in. Take a look at your favourite influencers or celebrities, how do they dress day to day? What outfits can you copy? Copy them like for like, as long as it makes you feel great when wearing them, you will exude confidence.
Eye contact when speaking
One of the clearest giveaways that someone is lacking confidence is if they are unable to maintain eye contact when speaking. Eye contact is an art, it needs to be practised to get it right to your best ability. So, start with family and friends. Hold eye contact for as long as possible, and wait for the person you are s peaking with to break eye contact. Then, start making eye contact with strangers on the street. This is a great way to get out of your comfort zone and test your ability to take control and be bold.
Smile at strangers
Speaking of strangers, you will be surprised at how far a smile can get you. It can spark conversions with strangers that end up becoming your dream client, close friend or even partner. Confidence is also about being approachable and being able to ‘make the first move’ when trying to establish a new relationship. Smiling at strangers is something that can open doors, and make you seem like a much more pleasant and approachable person. Test yourself to smile at least 3 strangers daily, and soon you will find yourself doing it to everyone you make eye contact with.
Don’t fidget
Fidgeting is also not something that confident people do as often, especially when in important meetings and conversations. When you wish to be perceived as confident, make sure you are sitting in a comfortable position, and avoid any tapping or frequent moving unless necessary. You want to show you are engaged in conversation with the other person as much as possible.
Test power poses
There’s nothing like a power pose to get you feeling confident. It will make you feel silly at first, but power poses have also been proven in psychological testing to make someone appear more confident. Take a simple stance with your chest up and hands on your hips. That person will appear to be much more open, and ready to face anything that comes their way. Try power poses where possible, whether it be on public transport, or even in the mirror when you are getting ready.
Bottom line
Overall, it is important to recognize that confidence can be learned. Despite some people seeing as though they were born with confidence, often it is just a mask to have more favourable perceptions and interactions. Feeling confident will take some time, but you can start with your exterior and behavioural choices to become a more open, and confident person.
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