Plus, our behavior tends to shape our thinking, so acting assertive will help to make your doubts and fears melt away.

Even if the thought of confronting your boss or speaking in public makes you nervous, you can appear calm and collected. Try these tips and se how to make yourself look confident. And train yourself to look confident under pressure.

How to Look Confident by Using Body Language:

1. Adjust your posture. The way you hold yourself and move around plays a big role in determining your mood and how others see you. Make it a habit to sit and stand with your back straight and your shoulders back. Distribute your weight evenly and tighten your abdominal muscles. A simple adjustment to make yourself look confident.
   
2. Make eye contact. Hold your head and your gaze up. If you find it uncomfortable to look someone in the eye, try focusing on different areas of their face for a couple of seconds at a time.The results will be about the same.
   
3. Shake hands. Whats your handshake like? Check that your grip is reasonably firm, and you hold on for about 5 seconds. Working on your handshake may also remind you to keep your hands out of your pockets.
   
4. Open up. Overall, think in terms of taking up whatever space is available to you. Uncross your arms and legs. Plant your feet about a foot apart. Lean toward someone while they’re talking to you.
   
5. Slow down. If you tend to move faster when you’re nervous, experiment with doing the opposite. Making your gestures and speech more deliberate and relaxed. will make you look confident.
   
6. Smile wide. A happy face looks more confident and attractive. Think about how you feel when someone beams at you and share that joy with others. 

Other Ways to Look More Confident: 

1. Get a haircut. Careful grooming reminds yourself and others that you’re worth caring about. Treat yourself to a makeover. Change your hairstyle or buy a flattering pair of pants. The more confident you look, the more confident you feel.
   
2. Exercise regularly. Its easier to look and feel confident when your body is strong and limber. Find a variety of physical activities you enjoy and will want to maintain.
   
3. Breathe deeply. Use your breath to calm and center yourself. Lengthening your exhalations helps you to feel braver and manage stress.
   
4. Avoid fillers. Upgrade your communications by cutting the ums out of your vocabulary. Replace those fillers with a strategic silent pause instead.
   
5. Prepare small talk. Conversation skills can be learned. If you often struggle to find something to chat about, brush up on interesting news stories or funny anecdotes you can share at parties or networking events.
   
6. Express interest. Your anxiety levels decrease when you focus on others. Listen attentively, show enthusiasm, and ask relevant questions. You may make new friends and feel more connected to your old ones.
   
7. Think positive. Pay attention to the things you like about yourself and others. Make a list of the events and experiences that you’re grateful for. Being upbeat will help you to appreciate your strengths and aim higher.
   
8. Create a mantra. Your self-talk can undermine your efforts or boost your sense of self-worth. Find some words and phrases that lift you up.Post them somewhere you can see them and repeat them to yourself a few times each day. You’ll be amazed how confident you feel.

Its natural to feel nervous in high-stakes situations like business presentations and some social situations. The more you practice looking confident, the more effective you’ll become at making a positive impression on others and strengthening your belief in yourself.

Always Rising Above!

xoxox Dr. Twanna

P.S. Interested in reading more about confidence? Read my blog “How to Build Confidence in Your Career: the Confidence Formula.“

Curated Reads: Essential Books to Add to Your Personal Library 

1. Melaninated Magic: 180 Affirmations to Nurture Your Soul and Unleash Your Black Girl Joy by Twanna Carter, PhD
2. I’m Not Yelling: A Black Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Workplace (Successful Black Business Women), Elizabeth Leiba
3. Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present (The Path to Calm) by Nick Trenton
4. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
5. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
6. High-Functioning Anxiety: A 5-Step Guide to Calming the Inner Panic and Thriving by Dr. Lalitaa Suglani
7. “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain.
8. Unleash your career potential with our free library of resources. Access our free Career Resource Library today and start your journey to a more fulfilling career.
9. Taming Your Gremlin: A Surprisingly Simple Method for Getting Out of Your Own Way by Rick Carson
10. The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance—What Women Should Know by Katty Kay & Claire Shipman
11. Stop & Shift: The Mindset Reset that Changes Everything by Karen Allen
12. Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms by Shellye Archambeau

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