Social interaction is something which we grow up needing to do, and it can come to some people a lot more easily than others. Speaking new people and making a good impression can be intimidating for introverted or shy people, and it can feel like an impossible task. If you are going to be talking to some new people this year, here are some tips to help you manage the situation.
Bring support
One of the best ways that you can get used to talking to new people without worrying is to bring some support with you when you meet. You can either bring your partner, a friend, your child or even bring along your pet. A pet can actually be a great ice breaker for conversations because it will take pressure off that initial meeting and make introductions a little easier. You can learn more about pets and social situations here https://www.certapet.com/wisdom-panel/.
Relax
Close your eyes, count to ten and breathe. The worst thing that you can do for your confidence is get yourself worked up before a meeting with someone new. It is important to remember that the person you will be talking to is just a person. They have fears and anxieties too, and they will probably be just as nervous as you are. Everyone is human, and they will understand if you are a little nervous, so relax!
Push yourself
The idea of putting yourself into a situation where you have to talk to lots of people can be scary, but it is something that you just might have to do if you are to break yourself out of the rut you are in. Sometimes gentle persuasion isn’t enough and you need to dive right in and face your fears head on. It might be the most terrifying thing you have ever done, but once you have done it you will realise that it wasn’t worth the stress in the first place. Look out
The things we often struggle with as introverted people is just that, we don’t let ourselves out of our protective bubble and this can cause us to struggle opening up to the world. If you seem to use your own little bubble for safety, you need to break out of it and start to pay attention to what’s going on outside. Think about paying attention to your surroundings and being present in life. You will soon see that the outside world isn’t as scary as it seemed.
Ask questions
There is nothing worse than trying to have a conversation and then it going to an awkward silence. If you want to try and have a great conversation with someone you need to ask questions. It can be difficult to ask questions and it might seem scary at first, but it is better to carry on a conversation in this way than to let it fall into that dreaded silence. Ask about their hobbies, if they have pets or kids, and try to find a mutual interest that you can discuss. Here are some tips on how to ask questions: https://www.dummies.com/careers/find-a-job/interviews/ten-tips-for-asking-good-questions/Stop thinking too much
The thing many of us struggle with when talking to people is overthinking. We tend to think too much about what we are saying and doing and this can actually make a conversation much more awkward than it needs to be. Stop obsessing over your tone of voice, your body language and the words you say. Just be yourself, be brave and let your personality out. It is always better to be you than to try and be someone else.
St0p trying to read minds
As well as overthinking we all seem to have issues with trying to work out what the other person is thinking. If you spend a whole conversation worrying about what someone thinks of you you will never be able to move past it. Most of the time the other person will be acting the same way as you so you need to learn to let go and just talk in a carefree manner. You will have a much happier interaction this way and you will feel so much more confident for your future interactions too.
Be yourself
Don’t change your accent, don’t shy away from your hobbies and your loves. Be yourself at all times. It is always better to start a meeting by being yourself because you don’t want to have to give up your facade later on when you reveal who you really are. Be yourself at all times and if they don’t like it, that’s fine! You can move on knowing that you have made conversation and you have conquered a hurdle
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