Think aloud
Confident body language can save you a lot of trouble. It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to impress a guy or seal that business deal, confidence is always the key. But how do you show someone you can’t be daunted when you don’t actually feel that way about yourself?
Well, “Fake it till you make it” is definitely going to become your mantra. And it’s for a reason!
Some people are effortlessly confident. You look at them and you instantly feel like you must follow their lead. They simply radiate confidence.
However, do you think that they always feel self-assured? Do you truly believe that they don’t have bad days when their self-image gets distorted and they no longer believe in themselves?
Honestly, we all feel that way sometimes but the best thing you can do for yourself in moments like that is to simply keep on pushing. You have to keep on pretending that your confidence levels are high and thriving since that’s the only way you can get others to trust you.
Now, the real question is how do you do that? How do you radiate confident body language when you don’t think you’re capable of doing it?
6 tips to express a more confident body language and feel like the most powerful person in the room
Your confidence determines the way other people treat you. The more self-assured you are, the better they will treat you.
You probably know how it feels when you convince yourself that you’re not worthy of getting a raise or going out on a second date with a guy who feels like he’s out of your league. The moment you implant those thoughts into your head, you instantly pave the way for their realization.
The chances are that you’re not going to get a promotion simply because you don’t trust yourself enough. Unfortunately, you aren’t going to impress that guy either because you’ll choose to stay quiet instead of showing him who you actually are.
The moment you convince yourself that you’re not good enough is the moment when other people will start to follow your lead. But it’s the same for when you persuade yourself that you’re confident. Instantly, others will see you as such a person.
So, how do you show the world that you have what it takes? How do you radiate confident body language even on those days when you don’t love yourself as much?
1. Stand tall and take up space
The more space you allow yourself to take up in a room, the more confident you’re going to look to others. So, it doesn’t matter if you’re standing or sitting, make sure to look tall and like you know what you’re doing.
Instead of crossing your hands and showing others that you’re trying to protect yourself, choose to place both of your hands on the table and express your dominance. Instead of standing crooked, with one leg bearing the most of your weight, choose to stand firm with both of your legs carrying you.
These are some simple things that you can easily change in your everyday communication with people but they’re going to make a huge difference.
So, the next time you feel yourself crouching and minimizing your presence, instantly snap out of it, widen your shoulders, and open your posture. These two simple actions are going to change the way you feel about yourself right away.
2. Don’t look down
Submissive people have a tendency to look down whenever they’re talking. It’s like they’re trying to finish the sentence without anyone paying attention to them. They’re minimizing themselves and acting like they’re not in the room.
So, when you’re trying to radiate more confident body language, you have to do exactly the opposite. Don’t look down but raise your chin and allow yourself to take all the space you have.
It doesn’t really matter if you’re having a conversation with a potential client or a crush, always remember to keep your head up and face the person you’re talking to.
3. Keep eye contact
While we’re on the topic of facing the person you’re talking to, there’s one important action that should follow. It’s keeping eye contact.
Looking away shows that you lack confidence and that you don’t consider yourself as important as this other person. This isn’t what you want people to think of you, so when you realize that you’re no longer maintaining eye contact, pressure yourself to change that.
In the beginning, you may feel weird looking at someone as they speak. This is a natural reaction since you’re not used to this. But, you have to push through it because that’s the only way to improve your confidence.
If you don’t feel comfortable enough to look someone directly in the eyes, try finding a spot close to their eyes and focus your attention on it. This way, you’ll slowly build your confidence, and at one point, you’ll easily maintain eye contact without looking away.
4. Use your hands to your advantage
Your hands will easily give you away and show others how confident you are (or aren’t). That’s why you want to use them to your advantage, as a way of boosting your self-esteem. Now, the real question is how are you going to do that.
For starters, putting your hands in your pockets, touching your face or neck, and hiding your hands underneath the table are all signs that you’re being nervous. They also point out how insecure you are, and we’re trying to stay away from that.
If you want to exert confident body language, you should ensure your hands are always visible and relaxed. Placing them on the table as you’re having a conversation with someone shows the other person that you’re very self-assured and confident.
Also, a firm handshake is another great way to use your hands to your advantage and a huge part of confident body language. If you’re meeting with a potential client whom you want to impress, follow your introduction with a firm handshake. This will instantly make the other person feel like you’re the one in charge.
5. Stop fidgeting
There’s one thing most of us tend to do when we’re feeling nervous and insecure. Yes, I’m talking about fidgeting!
You either keep tapping the floor with your leg or playing with your hands. Some of you may rock back and forth in your chair while others may play with the buttons on their shirt. The possibilities are endless but no matter what you do, you’ll show the person you’re talking to just how anxious you are.
When you’re trying to appear more confident, you have to prevent yourself from committing any of the fidgeting actions. The sooner you do it, the better it will be for you.
You want this other person to focus on what you’re saying. However, you’re unconsciously sabotaging yourself by making your distractive actions speak louder than your words.
6. Lean forward
When you’re not feeling confident in yourself, you tend to pull away into your safe place. For example, when you’re having a conversation with your intimidating coworker, you take a step back as you’re trying to become invisible.
This usually happens out of fear that you’re going to mess something up or say something weird. So, you rather move away because that sounds like a good way of protecting yourself.
However, when you’re trying to use your body language to look more confident, this is one of those moves that can give you away. So, instead of stepping away or sitting back in your chair as you’re having a conversation with someone, force yourself to lean forward and show interest in what they’re saying.
This works in both business and romantic situations and it will surely show the other person just how confident you are. Even if you’re panicking deep down, just remind yourself that they can’t see what’s going on inside your head. They only see what you want them to see.
Bear in mind that none of these actions won’t be easy in the beginning. They all take some time to practice and get used to them, especially if you’re socially awkward and insecure.
But as time goes by, you’ll get more confident, and at one point, you’ll realize how far you’ve come. Your body language will become your best tool and you’ll have no issues proving to others you’re confident, even on those days when you don’t feel that way at all.
As you practice it more and more, you’ll be able to show others how much you believe in yourself. Once that happens, everything will become so much easier.
You’ll convince yourself that you can do anything you want to and from that point on, there’s no going back. You’ll learn how to use your body language in the best way possible, and that’s when you’ll start to feel like the most powerful person in the room.
I guess faking it till you make it actually works.