Feeling Anxious? Try Smiling. ~www.jaywren.com
Is Anxiety Killing Your Career?
Anxiety can make you avoid opportunities for work, fun, and networking. It can cut your opportunities for leadership roles. Your anxiety can generate signals that make it harder for people to reach out to you.
Smile
There are many things that you can do to calm your jitters. Perhaps the most overlooked way is simply to smile. People smile when they are happy. And equally important is that smiling can help you feel happy.
The smiley face emoji says to other people you approve of what they have to say. Smiling has a similar effect. It tells people you approve of them. It creates trust and helps people open up to you.
You are generating charisma. People find your presence attractive. Your smiling helps people feel more confident and comfortable being around you. In turn, they smile and you feel confident from their signal of approval.
A frown will chase away friends. Ah, but there is something about a smile that attracts people and draws people to you.
So, let it go. When you see people, start with a smile. As people approach, nod and smile. When you are shaking hands with people, look at them and smile.
Photo by Jacqueline Munguía on Unsplash
