Contributed by: kellyseal on Saturday, February 05 2011 @ 09:27 am
Last modified on
Ever been to a party where a woman (or man) walks into the room, and everyone immediately gravitates to her? Maybe she's not the most beautiful woman, but there's something about her demeanor, charisma, and energy that makes everyone want to talk to her.
People are attracted to us initially based on these kinds of intangible factors...namely, body language. When you feel good about yourself...happy, confident, and open-minded, have you noticed that your experience with people is completely different than when you feel less attractive, angry or depressed?
Body language conveys what we are feeling, and reveals more about us to others than what we say. So how can we be more aware of what we are doing wrong? More to the point...what should we be doing to give the best impression possible? Following are some tips to remember.
Lighten up. Even if you're feeling low, meeting someone new can bring you out of your funk. Instead of taking everything seriously, keep the conversation light, smile and laugh, and don't try too hard. Let the conversation flow.
Don't cross your arms. I made this mistake a lot. If you keep your arms crossed in from of you, people take that as a sign to keep away. It's hard to connect with someone if you look guarded.
Make eye contact. If some man is looking at you from across the room, meet his glance. There's no need to stare, but let him know it's okay to approach you. Men get the hint most often when a woman glances in his direction. Also, if you're talking to someone but look away often because you're shy, people may misinterpret this as rude or inconsiderate. Be aware of where you focus your attention.
Smile. That's an easy one, but many of us forget to do this when we're nervous or uncomfortable. People want to feel comfortable around you, and the best way to accomplish this is with a warm, welcoming smile.
Slow down. Most of us feel nervous on dates. But when this causes us to talk fast or appear nervous or jittery, people can jump to the wrong conclusions. Do you want to come across as high strung? If you know this is your tendency, take a few deep breaths and slow down.
Stand tall. We forget this one a lot, too. Many of us slouch (especially if we're arm crossers), and this gives the impression that we're not confident. Be proud and stand up straight.