Build confidence: Five tips to look more confident
Build confidence in five easy ways. When other people look at you convey confidence. Look confident and they will think you are confident.
Build confidence tip 1: Keep breathing.
Often when we're nervous we hold our breath. This may make us feel even more nervous. By breathing calmly, deeply and regularly you may find yourself becoming calmer and more confident.
Many people breathe in and then hold their breath. Make sure you also focus on breathing out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Keep your breath flowing in and flowing out, smoothly. Build confidence by breathing easily.
Build confidence tip 2: Smile and laugh.
It can sound so trite to say smile, but really it can make a huge difference. Look at people who are confident – do they smile or do they frown? They smile. If you smile then you will look more confident.
One of the women on the "Confidence for women in social situations" CDs tells a story about how one smile she gave when walking her dog resulted in her developing a close friendship with the stranger she smiled at. This was at a low point in her life and it turned her life around.
One smile can make a difference. Project an image of confidence in the way you look and smile and people will think you are confident. Build confidence by relaxing your face and smiling at people.
Does your lack of confidence prevent you from smiling at strangers? Learn how a smile can make all the difference with our 2 CD set "Confidence for women in social situations".
Build confidence tip 3: Dress comfortably and appropriately for yourself and the occasion.
It can be very tempting to try and copy what others are wearing even when it doesn't feel comfortable. Don't do this. Wear what you feel good in. Wear what you feel comfortable in. Then you will feel more confident and look more confident. You will be able to move more easily and be less distracted by your clothes.
Sometimes worrying about a short skirt, having to hold yourself in because your jeans are so tight, or trying to walk in high heels can actually undermine how confident you look. Why? Because you are putting so much energy into worrying about these things, and no longer look relaxed and you no longer connect with other people.
Feel comfortable. Feel good. Look confident. Build confidence by being comfortable in your clothes.
Build confidence tip 4: Take up space.
When you are standing and sitting take up some space. Confident people are not afraid to be seen. They take up space whether at a meeting, sitting in a job interview, waiting at the bus stop, or speaking in public.
When people are nervous they sometimes wrap their legs around themselves, slump their shoulders or hold themselves in. It's as if they are apologising for themselves. Take up space and look confident.
Build confidence by taking up space.
Does your lack of confidence make you afraid to be seen? Learn how to convey an air of confidence with our 2 CD set "Confidence for women in social situations".
Build confidence tip 5: Stand tall.
It is very easy to slump, to shrink down or to drop your height. Some women, for instance, do this by putting all their weight only on one leg, and then they drop the hip on their other one. Stand on both legs. Stand your full height.
Some women who are tall, for instance, drop their shoulders and their head in an attempt to appear less tall. Don't do this. Stand your full height.
If you are worried that you may appear intimidating sit with people to talk to them, or stand a little further back so the other person doesn't have to look up at such a sharp angle. (I say this from experience as I am small!)
Build confidence by standing tall.
For extra tips on how to look more confident watch our video "Body language of confidence".
Written by Rachel Green: Motivational Speaker | Communication and Networking Specialist
Are you lacking in confidence? There is a unique and inspiring CD set you can get that is packed full of many more practical tips on how to be confident.
They contain a series of interviews with six real and inspiring women, like you and me.
No, they are not celebrities. No, they don't look like super models. No, they aren't rich. But they are confident. They work, they are mothers, they have survived divorce, regained their confidence after traumas, they have learnt how to handle new situations, how to make friends, how to meet strangers, how to travel alone ... and much more.
And they tell you how to build your self-esteem and confidence too, in ways that are easy to apply and understand. Build confidence now.
Copyright Confident Woman Australia, 2011
NB: This article is not provided as an alternative to obtaining professional advice from an appropriately qualified professional.Please seek the help you need to build your confidence.
Rachel Green
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