Does a stay-in-and-watch-Netflix kinda night sound waaay better than going out? Is a big group enough to freak you out for a century and leave you completely socially exhausted? Are you more of an listener than a talker? If your answer was a big, fat yes to all of these, don’t worry about a thing, cause boy do I have the solution for you. These days, we really can’t get by without social interaction. It’s in our jobs, our personal lives, and oddly enough, even on social media(cause everyone seems to be sliding into everyone’s DMs these days). And for those who would rather bury themselves in a hole than be the center of attention at a fancy party, I have a couple of a tips for you to fake confidence with ease and make people believe you really are just that cool, even when you’re the farthest thing from it.
Make It By Faking It  Â
1. Look for inspiration
Celebs are famous for a reason, and it’s because they radiate charisma, which incidentally roots from—you guessed it—confidence. So, take a cue from JLaw, Jlo or Madonna, and observe their interactions. Imitation can go a surprisingly long way if you do it consistently enough.Â
2. The “Power Pose.” Enough said.
Ever heard anyone say, your body language says more about you than what you say? As strange as it sounds, it’s really true. Now I know what you’re thinking. How can the “way I stand” make me look confident? But I promise you, it does. One of the easiest sure-fire ways to “fake it” is to make your body “more open.” This means head high, chest forward, arms by your side(not crossed) and your legs firmly on the floor slightly apart. Once your body is open, you look far more approachable and self-assured.Â
3. Love is the key.Â
Okay, sorry, that might sound confusing. I didn’t mean necessarily romantic love, but love of any kind. Surrounding yourself with friends and family, aka “those you love,” makes it easier to comfortably speak out and voice your opinions. Why? Because the fear of judgement is gone, as these are people who love you. And, the fear of discomfort is gone, as these are people you know extremely well. Awkward who? Never heard of her.Â
4. Listen to feel-good music.Â
Music always gets our adrenaline flowing and the dopamine firing at a lighting-fast speed. Especially when the beat is fast and the bass is strong and powerful. This translates into our minds, psychologically making us feel like we’re invincible when we’re listening to our favorite song. Try cranking up the stereo right before a big meeting or that dinner party you were dreading. You may be surprised.Â
5. Don’t overthink.Â
For introverts, it’s common to plan out exact conversations in meetings, lunch dates, parties and other activities requiring social interaction. While that may seem to make confidence easier, it disrupts the flow of natural conversation. Instead, try sticking to guidelines, such as maintaining eye contact, smiling, and relaxing, and let the conversation take you and the other person where it may.Â
6. Dress to impress.
So, this may be a tiny bit similar to #2, but trust me you guys, what you do on the outside matters! It psychologically translates to the inside, because when you dress well and keep yourself well-groomed, it is much easier to talk to people and interact, as there’s no fear of judgement, and confidence will naturally come from a sharply created facade.Â