7 psychological tricks that are useful to you
Wearing a red sweater when you want to be seen but don't want to say anything. Letting a silence fall and continuing to look at someone when you don't find their answer good enough. Small psychological tricks that help you a bit to achieve your goal: they exist and they really work.
1. Smile (fake smiles count too)
When the corners of your mouth are turned up, your mouth sends the signal ‘happy’ to your brain. And even if you are not happy at all, you will become so because your brain tells your mouth and you end up feeling happy.
2. Act confidently
Various psychological studies show that people do not see the difference between someone who is confident or acts like it. The goal is of course to be it, but if you are having a bad day and are bursting with insecurity, just play it confidently. Another tip in between: if you are going to meet people you are a bit nervous about (your in-laws for example)? Then think of it as meeting old friends. If you enter the conversation with that feeling, everything will go much smoother. Unless they are really unpleasant people, of course, but then it wasn't your fault.
3. The mirror trick
Do you work behind a counter where people with complaints or questions often come? Hang a mirror behind you where the complainers can see themselves. No one likes to see themselves stomping and shouting, so the mirror has a dampening effect. You literally hold up a mirror to them and that helps.
4. Sit next to someone
Just like the classic red sweater tip (if you wear it in a meeting, everyone will know you were there, even if you said nothing), it is also wise not to sit opposite your opponent, but next to someone. Side by side, you will both be more inclined to bond than to engage in conflict.
5. So, don't say this
I think, I believe, if I'm not mistaken... Put those words on the forbidden list. It expresses doubt and thus you will lose confidence.
6. Look at the eye color
If you look at someone just a little longer, the other person will remember you better. Staring too long is uncomfortable, so if you look just long enough to ‘register’ someone's eye color, that is the perfect duration of eye contact.
I would say: go for it.
