How to Avoid Looking Nervous
Have you ever felt nervous
and hoped it didn't show? If so, this is the article for you.
Recognizing what you do when you're nervous and how to stop doing it is
the key.
Steps:
- If your case is severe, begin with people you know.
- Before you begin to speak, pause for a moment and consciously breathe in and exhale.
- Endeavor to relax your entire body.
Instead of thinking about your nervousness, concentrate on the other
person, their likes and dislikes. Ask viewpoint questions of them such
as, what do you think? or how do you feel about?... This will help you
to concentrate on them rather than yourself and to relate to them in a
calm and dignified manner.
- Be aware of your appearance. Your poise,
or lack of it, is shown by your physical bearing and the way that you
use your hands. Hands clasped behind the back, held rigidly at the
sides, or hands repeatedly in and out of pockets, buttoning and
unbuttoning the jacket, aimlessly moving to the cheek, the nose, the
eyeglasses; hands toying with a watch, a pencil, a ring, all of these
demonstrate a lack of poise. With conscious effort these manifestations
of nervousness can be controlled.
- Work on just one at a time. Identify the problem,
and consider in advance what you need to do to prevent it. If you make
that effort, you will give evidence of poise in your physical bearing.
- If you are talking to someone, look at them, don't look at your shoes or that nice picture, look at them. There doesn't have to be eye contact, just look in their direction.
- Know that the average person is made up of 70% water.
Regardless of who we are speaking with, from the CEO of the company to
the janitor, they are nothing more than a large water bag. We all put
our pants and shoes on the same way no matter who we are.
Tips
- Plan ahead when you know you are doing something that makes you nervous. Know it is going to happen so you can counter it.
- Don't think too much about not looking nervous, it could cause a mess up and that would be even worse.
- Try to look casual whenever nervous, so as to not give your nervousness away.
- Don't wring your hands or play with your hair. Some people do these things without even realizing it.
Warnings
- Do not expect all feelings of nervousness to disappear. You may still feel nervous, but others may not be aware of it at all.