How to Appear Confident When You Arent

How to Appear Confident When You Arent Ever have one of those days where you just dont want to interact with the world? Where you just want to crawl back in bed, pull the covers over your head and stay there all day? You know, the days where your confidence is nowhere to be found and you cant muster up the energy to even appear confident. The worst is when youre actually expected to shine, whether it be for a presentation at work, a long day at school or an interview. The good news is that, as the old saying goes, you can in fact fake it til you make it. Its possible to trick others into thinking you appear confident, just so you can get through the day, sleep it off and wake up invigorated again. How should you go about faking confidence, even when you dont feel up to it? Here are 6 tips for  how to appear confident on those days when youre *so* not feeling it: No One Is Watching You When youre having an off day, it may feel like everyone in the world notices. That woman walking past you on the street totally knows you didnt do your hair right. That guy up there can see that you didnt take enough time to pick out your outfit. Its a good thing this isnt true â€" could you imagine the stress that would be put on your life if everyone was watching? Look, the people you pass on the street only see you once, and theyre so busy in their own heads that its highly unlikely they would notice you, let alone your bad hair day. Talk to Someone The worst person to talk to when youre feeling down is yourself. When youre alone with your thoughts, its easy to feel lost and unconfident. Thats why you should take yourself on a walk and talk with someone. It can be anyone from a street vendor to a customer in line at a coffee shop. These small conversations will ease you out of your head and into the moment. Talking with a stranger gives many people a confidence boost, as well. If you dont feel up to going out, however, you can always turn to friends. Dont be afraid to pick up the phone and chat with an old pal. Even the quickest of talks with someone you love can be memorable and leave you feeling more upbeat. Eye Contact It really leaves an impression on a person when you can make proper eye contact. Dont just look them in the eye when youre speaking, either. You should look at them and listen when its their turn to talk, as well. Whatever you do, don’t look at your phone when talking to someone â€" or anywhere in public, technically. Not only is it rude, but it also makes you a target for low self-confidence. The next time you run into someone, try not to look away when you talk to them. You could practice this when youre having a friendly conversation with a stranger, as suggested in the last tip. Posture Is Power Its a shame that things have stooped low for you, but maybe its because youre literally stooping low as well. Body posture is a key factor in how you feel. Research has shown that slouching causes decreased energy levels. One great way to harness the positive benefits of posture is to strike a power pose. This involves making yourself open and full, taking up more space. Spending a few minutes in a power pose can help you maintain composure and confidence. Most of all, itll help you feel powerful. Here are some examples of power poses: Place your hands on your hips with your elbows out and chest puffed up. Stand with your legs farther apart than normal. Lift your arms over your head and spread them into a V shape. Stand with your hands rest on a table, and lean over the table. Speak Slower When youre nervous, you talk faster. One of the hallmarks of nervous people is shaky, rushed speech. In order to appear confident, you must slow down. Just think about the person youre talking to. If you speak a mile a minute, they wont understand your message as well as you thought. Theres nothing wrong with pausing. It makes you appear more dramatic and it gives you and the person youre speaking to enough time to collect your thoughts. Dress for Success Nothing screams confidence more than wearing an excellent outfit. When you dress well, people perceive you as more powerful. Youve probably heard your friends say that they always feel good when they wear black. Try wearing an outfit with lots of black to feel slick. If youre not really in the mood for the gothic look, just wear your favorite clothes. Youll find that when you look your best, your mind will think so as well. Dressing sharply is enough to put anyone at ease for a while. These tips should give you the confidence you need to power through an off day, and feel your best no matter what life throws at you. What do you think? Share your confidence-boosting tips in the comments! ?? Reply Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. 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