Body Language

"Our bodies change our mind,  our minds change our behavior,
 and our behavior changes our outcomes."  Amy Cuddy

I was recently talking with a family member about how we think people perceive us.  She said that when she is in a crowd, she often feels invisible.   She said, "I feel that people don't even notice that I am there."

What is the perception that you think people have of you?  Is it the perception you want them to have?

Take just a minute and jot down some words that you would want others to use to describe you. (Of course the choices may vary with the circumstances, or people you are with).  Here are some adjectives to get you started thinking: serious, funny, positive, genuine, fun loving, caring, clever, professional, modest, spiritual, relaxed, confident, smart, sincere, thrill seeker, attractive, sensual, shy, outgoing, youthful, powerful, vulnerable, needy, creative, wise, inspirational, cool, mysterious, fit, energetic, sweet, competent, wild, kind, friendly, happy .....come up with your own, and select the top 3-5 descriptors that you want to be known for.

Do how you think people perceive you, and how you want them to perceive you match?

Would you like to change the perception people have of you?  Would you like to seem more confident (or perhaps feel more confident).  Would you like to appear more friendly to people? Would you like to come across as being more assertive? Do you think you give the impression that you are bored, uninterested, or depressed?    (Maybe it's because you are....) Do you ever find yourself saying, "I don't belong here?"

Do you believe that you determine and are responsible for the impression that others have of you, or do you think it is out of your control? 

Our bodies can change our minds and ultimately our bodies can change how others view us; so says Amy Cuddy and the research she talks about in this video sponsored by a TED conference.  It's called 'Your body language shapes who you are.'  My sister emailed it to me this week, and I thought I'd pass it forward to you. It's about 20 minutes.... I suggest you watch it to the end.  Let's all practice what she suggests and talk about it more next week.

 http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html. 

....and if you can't wait until next week to discuss it... then post your comments on this blog, or email me, Karen, at: smallsteps4bigresults@yahoo.com