People say confidence comes from within. While that’s true, do you really think all those “confident” people you see every day actually feel that way? The answer is a BIIIG NO! Many of them are just acting confident—just like you will after today. And guess what? If you keep acting confident long enough, it eventually becomes second nature. Before you know it, you are confident. Let’s get started!

7 Crazy Helpful Tips to Appear Confident

Everything here is about rewiring your brain—convincing it that you are confident. You know the saying:

“To fool your enemies, fool yourself first.”
— Sun Tzu (Totally made up by Mishkat)

But listen, your audience isn’t your enemy. Your brain just thinks they are. Time to change that.

1. Fix Your Posture

• Chin up! No need to be a snob, just don’t let your chin sink into your chest.
• Back straight! Slouching? Big no-no. A straight posture exudes confidence because nervous people tend to shrink themselves.
• Lean forward! Research shows that leaning slightly forward signals interest and engagement.

2. Make Eye Contact

Feeling too shy? No problem! Instead of direct eye contact, just focus on people’s forelock or forehead—same effect, less pressure. Whatever you do, don’t avoid looking at your audience. It makes you seem untrustworthy.

3. Avoid Pockets

Especially you, guys! Keeping your hands in your pockets while speaking instantly kills your aura. Use your hands! Gesturing makes you look more confident and authoritative. (Check out this article for more on hand gestures.)

4. Slow Down

Speaking fast doesn’t make you sound smart—it just makes you sound nervous. Instead of rushing, speak slowly and clearly, especially when making important points. This gives your words more weight and keeps people engaged. But don’t forget good posture and eye contact, or you’ll just look like a slow-moving NPC.

5. Take Larger Steps

Whether you’re on stage or just walking down the street, take bigger strides. It instantly boosts your presence. Think of a leader striding in with purpose—exactly the vibe you want.

6. Be a Mirror

Mirroring the body language of the people around you creates instant rapport. It’s called the chameleon effect, and it makes people subconsciously feel connected to you. Just don’t forget to also take care of your appearance—because dark circles don’t scream confidence.

7. Dress the Part

Wear clothes that match the occasion and make you feel good. When you look like you belong, you feel like you belong. And that confidence shows.

Final Thoughts

Confidence isn’t magic—it’s practice. Start using these tricks, and soon, you won’t just look confident, you’ll be confident. Fake it till you own it!