Confidence is something a lot of us struggle with. We’re aware that being, looking, and feeling confident are all advantageous characteristics to demonstrate, but for some of us, it doesn’t come easily.
And that’s perfectly okay, within reason. Some of us tend to be more shy, whereas some of us like to be the centre of attention. It isn’t great to be on either end of the spectrum all the time, though, therefore having an understanding of how to portray confidence can come in handy.
One way to appear confident is to maintain eye contact with whoever you’re conversing with, regardless if you know them. If you’re able to hold eye contact with someone you don’t know while holding a conversation, even better. Avoiding someone’s eyes or looking away frequently isn’t the best way to approach a conversation.
Another trick for appearing to be confident is having good posture. Similar to eye contact, spotting good posture is a great way to demonstrate to someone that you’re comfortable in a particular environment, whereas poor posture may indicate disinterest and meekness.
Speaking clearly and slowly is another way to create the illusion of confidence. It’s easy to speak fast when we’re uncomfortable, but slowing down and speaking articulately is definitely your best bet when carrying on conversation with someone you’re unfamiliar with.
Even if confidence isn’t something that comes naturally to you, it isn’t hard to fake it. Confidence goes a long way in relationships, the workplace, and even social situations, and knowing how to navigate the ins and outs of it can benefit all of us. There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, though, so be sure to make your presence known without being over-powering.
Fake it ’til you make it isn’t an expression I’m overly fond of, but sometimes, it fits the bill.
ontheedgeofeverything 