1. Be a Front Seater
There's no coincidence that the back seats tend to fill up first in the room. That's because when you sit in the back, you're less likely to be noticed (and most people don't want to be). Being in the front forces you to pay more attention, which means you're more likely to participate. It shows other people in the room that you don't care if others see you. Simply put, sitting upfront builds confidence.
2. Practice Making Eye Contact
How a person uses his/her eyes tells us a lot about someone. A lack of eye contact when speaking gives off to the listener that you have a lack of self-confidence. You're perceived as more trustworthy, superior and more confident when you look at someone in the eyes. So the next time you strike up a conversation with someone, look at them. Just make sure you don't seem too creepy (80/20 rule is always acceptable).
3. Smile Big
Smiling forces you to be happy. Many people say that smiling is a great boost for confidence. Smiling defuses fear and sadness not only in yourself but in others who see you smile. So when you're depressed or down on yourself, try smiling!
4. Walk 25 Percent Faster
People watching. What a great way to pass the time. But if you watch closely, you'll see that how people walk is directly correlated with their mood. For instance, sluggish and slouching is linked to a negative attitude towards oneself. Your body action is the result of your mind action. So keep your shoulders back and a head held high. When you do this, you're perceived as more confident.
Not only be mindful of your posture but walk a little faster. People that walk faster have more confidence. It shows that you're walking with a purpose. That you have somewhere important to go. Be mindful of your posture and how you walk.
5. Practice Speaking Up
Speaking up, especially in a room full of people can be difficult. Which is exactly why you should do it. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Most times, people don't voice their opinion because they are concerned with what others will think or that their opinion doesn't matter. That's simply not true. Try and speak up at every meeting you attend and if no one is speaking, you be the first. Don't worry about what others will think.
You are important, too. So speak up, the more you speak up, the more confident you get.
