Hello from beautiful Montana:
Body Language is the communication of relationships. Verbal language is the communication of information and is really only processed and remembered about 20% of the time. Model confidence in your posture, gestures, facial expressions and approachability and you will gain friends and influence people.
Model Confidence of Others
One of the best ways to learn a new skill or behavior is to watch someone else demonstrate that behavior. This is especially true if the person you are modeling is someone you admire.
So watch how they greet others, do they extend the hand of friendship or stand against the wall? Do they take a seat near the front of the room and join in the conversation or sit in the back of the room and try not to be noticed?
Confident body language is about being comfortable in your own skin. It is about making others feel comfortable to be around you.
I like to say confidence is walking into a room and saying “Here I am, what can I do to help?” It is not about ego or pride, but rather about self-esteem and self-efficacy, which is how you use your confidence for the good of others.
Rehearse Confidence
Knowing what to do in difficult situations can make a person feel more competent, comfortable and in control. You would not learn to ski by jumping off the top of a mountain, and you will not learn the skill of confidence in one lesson.
You will learn more easily if you watch and model your mannerisms, body language and confidence one step at a time.
How does the leader of the group stand? Is he or she standing with feel a little apart, shoulders back and arms either at the side or making small gestures? Then you can do that. Practice this skill and you will find yourself more and more comfortable.
Smile at Others
Watch how your mentor smiles and follow the example. Try smiling with your whole face and watch how others will be drawn to you.
Your body language will soon begin to model confidence in yourself and your surroundings.
If you enjoyed this article you will want to go to http://www.encourageselfconfidence.com for a wonderful book filled with methods to increase your confidence, friends and opportunities for a more positive life experience. You will feel it was written just for you. And it was.
I like your style of writing and the subject is one that I am focusing my coaching and blogging on – may I use this on one of my blogs (and of course give you full credit and links to your book?)