8 Easy Body Language Hacks to Skyrocket Your Self Confidence

Your body language plays a crucial role in how confident you feel and appear to others. We are constantly communicating with others with our appearance, posture, gesture, gaze and expressions. Here, I’m going to share some simple things you can do to improve your body language and skyrocket your self-confidence.

Imagine two people are standing in front of you – one with “positive body language” and one with “negative body language”. Think about:

• How are they standing?
• Where are their eyes looking?
• Where have they got their head?
• How are they talking?
• How are they moving?

There’s a big difference in positive and negative body language, right?

“People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude.” John C. Maxwell

Positive Body Language

How you feel at any moment is linked to what is going on in your head and how you move your body.  The way you move sends subliminal messages to your mind, and this either helps or hinders the way that you feel.

Motion creates emotion!

If you sit still for a long period of time, your natural energy levels will automatically lower.  When you get up, walk around and return to your seat, you have more energy, and you’re given a boost.

It’s important to move and act confidently and positively. When you move and act confidently and positively, you give off the right vibes to everyone around you. This makes others think that you are confident even if you’re not feeling confident inside.  Yes, that’s right. Even if you’re not feeling confident, you can act as though you are.

Fake it until you make it!

So, how do you do this?  Check out these 8 easy body language hacks below to help you appear more confident to others and over time improve your self-confidence.

8 Easy Body Language Hacks to Skyrocket Your Self Confidence

1) Stand Tall and Power Pose

Stand up straight and tall and power pose like a Girl Boss. Amy Cuddy in her Ted Talk explains how using a power pose – hands on hips, feet wide apart, shoulders back, staring confidently forward shows people you mean business. People react warmly to this, they have confidence in you and, in fact, it can help you get ahead at work and in other situations.

Watch Amy’s Ted Talk here:

Confident people stand tall, walk tall and sit up straight.  Practice standing and walking tall in all sorts of situations, whilst walking to the shops/school, walking into meetings and when giving presentations. And pop that power pose when you need to close that deal!

2) Smile More Often

One thing that confident people have in common is that they smile a lot and appear happier.  There is a lot of power associated with a smile.

Smile as you walk down the street, when you talk to someone, even when you look in the mirror at yourself.  You will be surprised at how good it will make you feel, and it will project a positive image to others – one that will attract opportunities and people.

Let’s face it, smiling is pretty infectious. My former boss once said to me as I was practising a presentation, “just remember to smile because when you do the whole room lights up”. It’s a beautiful comment and one I remember each time I have to present something but his point was, smiling is totally infectious and it creates an energy shift.

You smile and they smile back. It happens, believe me. Try it!!!! Make someone smile today! 🙂

“A smile is happiness you’ll find right under your nose” Tom Wilson

Happiness starts with a smile….check this out!

3) Dress To Win

An easy confidence booster is to smarten up your wardrobe with some new kick-ass clothes or accessories. When you look confident you feel confident. Even getting a haircut or a new lipstick can change things up a level.

Look at your appearance and ask yourself, right now:

• Do I feel confident?
• Do I look confident?
• What could I do with my appearance to give me the edge?

4) Use Eye Contact

Use eye contact when you talk to people. Look them straight in the eye, holding their gaze for around 3-5 seconds, showing them you are assertive, confident and interested in the conversation. Practice holding a gaze for 3-5 seconds. It can feel like a long time so do persevere – You got this!

5) Deliver A Confident Handshake

There is nothing worse than a limp handshake or a soft hug. When you meet people in business always have a firm handshake. Did you know that most people, when offered a handshake, will always take your hand?  So there’s no excuse. Go for it and build on that confident first impression. A soft hug is also a big “no-no” in my view. In the UK we hug a lot! We hug friends, family and friends of friends and new people we meet and like. It’s a term of endearment so if you mean it, do it properly and go in for a squeeze!

6) Be Aware Of Your Own Body Language

If you are ever feeling down, just have a look at your body language and change it immediately. Even if it has to be false – YOU WILL start to feel better and more confident immediately.

7) Check Other Peoples Body Language

You can tell what other people are feeling by the way they move and use their body too. Notice the body language of a confident friend or colleague. How do they express their confidence? Try to mirror what they do to improve your own body confidence.

8) Remember First Impressions Count

When you go to meet people for the first time, think about what first impression you want to give them. A smiling face? A good remark? Ask yourself, “how do I want to be remembered?”

“Language is a more recent technology. Your body language, your eyes, your energy will come through to your audience before you even start speaking.” Peter Guber

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