Behaving confidently even if you don't feel that way inside creates an experience of confidence that will eventually become real.
This fake it till you make it practice really works.
While you are pretending to be confident you are actually building your confidence.
This isn't about pretending or faking confidence to deceive people.
Behaving confidently can rewire your feelings and thoughts too.
If you force yourself to act confidently and use positive body language, you can start to feel confident and think confidently.
If you struggle with going straight into acting as if, try to visualize yourself acting and feeling confident.
Picture something you would like to do that you aren't sure you are confident enough for yet.
Picture the scene in your mind exactly how you want it to be.
What are you wearing? Who else is there? What will you say? Be very specific.
So how can you act more confidently? Try these three simple techniques 1.
Stand up straight My parents used to say this to me all the time.
That was when I was being a sullen and unreasonable child, usually after being dragged to something that was taking me away from my all important play time! But looking back now they have a point.
If you stand up straight, shoulders back, head up, this automatically gives you a feeling of self assurance and confidence.
Do it while you're walking through a crowd, on the street, in the train station, anywhere and the weirdest thing happens.
You suddenly feel on a higher level.
You start to walk with a spring in your step.
You start to feel more confident.
2.
Look people in the eye You don't need to stare at someone so you look like a psychopath, but hold for a little longer than would normally feel natural to you.
Do it especially when the other person is talking so they know you're listening, and when you're first addressing people.
It's perfectly natural to break eye contact when talking as you'll often use your eyes when trying to recall events or information, but make sure you return your attention back to the other person once you've done this.
3.
Smile When you're talking to people and making eye contact, smile.
It may not come naturally at first, but force it.
The simple act of smiling will actually make you feel happy.
When you feel happy, you're more relaxed, when you're more relaxed, you're more confident.
This will also put the other person at ease and help them relax around you.
Believe it or not, they could be feeling as self conscious as you are and will welcome your warm manner.