It is proven that a lack of confidence can hinder your overall performance in the workplace, personal relationships and self-actualization. Due to a rise in the digital age, online communication and social media, a major consequence is a decrease in confidence. Succeeding in life and obtaining opportunities starts with your inner perception and your first impression.

The psychological aspect of confidence goes hand-in-hand with goal setting and accomplishments. When you achieve success your confidence boosts as a result. This makes your performance rate in the workplace rise and in turn, creates a continuous boost of confidence cycle. If you do not believe you can achieve your goals, then who else will? You have the ability to change the way you feel about yourself and the ways others perceive you. Take a look at Speak's guide to mastering confidence through body language and speech.

Communicate Through Body Language:

A major aspect of communication skills is the ability to build confidence through body language. The reality is that 90% of our communication skills and perception of others is non-verbal. This means that the majority of the way we come across is through the natural tendencies of the human body. That is why mastering and adapting muscle memory is an extremely powerful skill. It takes 21 days to form a habit, so make today day one and become more confident.

Master The First Impression:

Furthermore, first impressions are everything, that is why so many individuals put an emphasis on the first date, the first interview, meeting the parents etc. This is because within 10 seconds the person who you are interacting with has already made an assumption about your character. You must be thinking, I said all the right things, I was so nice, I had amazing manners, well the reality is that verbal communication will not be the root of your success in communication. The mind and the body need to be simultaneously interacting to create a well-rounded appearance.

Embody The Essence of Confidence:

This is where the notion of confidence comes in. Being confident is a skill that for many, is extremely difficult. So why not fake it till you make it? Or rather fake it until you become it? This is where the term procedural memory comes in. This is the process in which mastery comes through the constant repetition of body movements. It is true that with practice anything is possible. If you embody the essence of confidence you then build up the natural tendencies of muscle movements.

Communication Is Instinctual:

In addition, this is a lesson for your muscles to the point where they naturally execute these habitual behaviours. The notion of naturalistic body movements has been dated back to the beginning of time. In fact, in the animal kingdom, the communication process is instinctual for survival. Animals entire functionality is based on non-verbal communication, this includes gestures, body language, and facial expressions. All of which are relevant to humans, as our biological makeup correlates with animalistic capacities. 

Setting Goals is Crucial For Confidence:

Moreover, the mind and the body are interconnected, so the way you move your body is vital for a confidence boost. It is stated that feeling motivated heightens an individual’s level of confidence. The root of feeling motivated is completing goals and feeling good about accomplishments, which in turn makes an individual feel self-confident. So getting out there, setting goals and crushing them is a great way to feel more confident. These can be goals of any size and any manner, from making your bed every morning to completing a marathon, both can contribute to a boost in confidence!

Master These Body Language Tips:

However, what about those days where you cannot shake a low self-esteem persona? The answer is simple, change your body language. By incorporating positive body language you can, in turn, become a more confident person. Every time you choose to smile, you inherently become more happy and gleeful. It is because the brain obtains the signals coming from the body and translates them into feelings. Let's talk about poses that are crucial for increasing confidence:

Power Pose:

This pose is an easy and quick way to train the body to feel confident. Stand with your legs shoulder width apart, bend your knees slightly and raise those hands in the air! Just like you’ve won the biggest race of your life! These are signals of power and resilience that are being sent to the brain at a rapid pace.

Lean in:

While someone is talking or when you are listening to a presentation leaning in articulates a state of interest. It shows you are paying attention and that you are invested in the situation at hand. This tells your body that there is value in the information being disseminated and makes you an active listener.

Smile, it looks good on you:

Smiling calms the body by lowering your heart-rate, releasing endorphins that eliminate stress. It gets your body ready to be productive and master all the necessary tasks for the day. Every morning smile and tell yourself that you are worthy, attractive and that a good day awaits. It is the best way to begin your day with a cup of confidence!

Sit up:

Everyone is always talking about good posture. But what if it actually helped boost confidence? When sitting keep your back straight, sit all the way back on the chair, feet flat on the floor and keep your knees bent at a 90-degree angle.

Do not forget about your arms and legs:

When we are nervous we tend to fidget with our arms or tap our feet. Many cross their arms or legs in a resting position. Try to avoid all of these tendencies because they make you look closed off and nervous. Keeping your hands in your lap while you are sitting and by your side, while you are standing is the best resting position.

Start and End with a great handshake:

A great handshake can tell you a lot about the person that you are meeting. It is often times the first sign of confidence through body language and is a trait that should be universally mastered. A handshake needs to have strength, without too much force, mixed with direct eye contact and a smile. This is the recipe for a confident greeting.

Take up space and invite others in with open gestures:

By showing you are not afraid to occupy space shows you are confident. Widen your stance by standing stable and solid. This shows that your natural relaxed state is dominant and sure of yourself. Stand when you can and walk around when applicable show that you are there for a reason

By holding your hands out while speaking and using your hands with articulating shows relaxed body movements. Invite others in by facing your palms up. All of these gestures allow you to be perceived more positively and invites others in for open dialogue. This is beneficial for your overall creditability and appearance and persona.

In conclusion, all of these tips are simple ways to train the body that you are confident. The more you incorporate these gestures into your daily routine, the more confident you will feel. It is natural that not everyone feels confident all day every day. Sometimes we need a little boost to get our day going. Soon with practice, you will become the master of your confidence. 

Enhance your influence on others through your communication skills. Speak is a key tool that aids in your journey toward confidence. Learn more about Speak and become the best version of yourself. Let Speak help you become a confident communicator and obtain skills that enhance your lifestyle. Email us at success@speakai.co