Your body language may shape who you are | Amy Cuddy
Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy argues that "power posing" -- standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don't feel confident -- can boost feelings of confidence, and might have an impact on our chances for success. (Note: Some of the findings presented in this talk have been referenced in an ongoing debate among social scientists about robustness and reproducibility.
Doing the Power Pose
Click here to read Power poses: You can gain confidence too!
Originally saw the Power Pose on Grey's Anatomy
Click here to read Superhero Pose for Confidence
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Have you ever left a nerve-racking challenge and immediately wished for a do over? Maybe after a job interview, a performance, or a difficult conversation? The very moments that require us to be genuine and commanding can instead cause us to feel phony and powerless. Too often we approach our lives' biggest hurdles with dread, execute them with anxiety, and leave them with regret.
By accessing our personal power, we can achieve "presence," the state in which we stop worrying about the impression we're making on others and instead adjust the impression we've been making on ourselves. As Harvard professor Amy Cuddy's revolutionary book reveals, we don't need to embark on a grand spiritual quest or complete an inner transformation to harness the power of presence. Instead, we need to nudge ourselves, moment by moment, by tweaking our body language, behavior, and mind-set in our day-to-day lives.
Amy Cuddy has galvanized tens of millions of viewers around the world with her TED talk about "power poses." Now she presents the enthralling science underlying these and many other fascinating body-mind effects, and teaches us how to use simple techniques to liberate ourselves from fear in high-pressure moments, perform at our best, and connect with and empower others to do the same.
Brilliantly researched, impassioned, and accessible, Presence is filled with stories of individuals who learned how to flourish during the stressful moments that once terrified them. Every reader will learn how to approach their biggest challenges with confidence instead of dread, and to leave them with satisfaction instead of regret.
We’ve all faced moments of doubt, anxiety, and fear before tackling a significant challenge. Whether it’s a critical presentation, a job interview, or even a tough conversation, the prelude to these events can be daunting. However, what if there were a simple, yet powerful, technique to boost your confidence and poise before diving into these challenges? Enter the Superhero Pose.
What is the Superhero Pose?
The Superhero Pose, also known as a power pose, involves standing tall with your feet shoulder-width apart, hands on hips or raised triumphantly above your head, and your chest out. Think of how Superman or Wonder Woman stands after saving the day. This posture exudes strength, confidence, and readiness.
The Science Behind Power Posing
The concept of power posing was popularized by social psychologist Amy Cuddy in her 2012 TED Talk. Cuddy’s research suggests that adopting such poses can influence our brain chemistry and behavior. When we hold a power pose for a couple of minutes, it increases levels of testosterone (associated with confidence) and decreases levels of cortisol (associated with stress).
Cuddy’s studies showed that individuals who engaged in power posing before stressful situations performed better and felt more confident. While some aspects of this research have been debated and revisited, the underlying idea that our body language can influence our mindset remains influential.
Why the Superhero Pose Matters
1. Instant Confidence Boost: Taking a superhero pose can provide an immediate boost in confidence. This is crucial when you’re about to face a situation that requires you to be at your best. It can transform your internal state from one of anxiety to one of empowerment.
2. Physical Manifestation of Strength: Our body language affects how others perceive us and, more importantly, how we perceive ourselves. When you stand like a superhero, you not only project confidence to others but also reinforce the belief in your own strength and capabilities.
3. Reduces Stress and Anxiety: The physiological changes that accompany power posing can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Lower cortisol levels mean you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed by the challenge ahead.
4. Improves Performance: Feeling confident and less stressed directly impacts your performance. Whether it’s articulating your thoughts clearly during a presentation or negotiating effectively during an interview, the superhero pose can set the stage for success.
5. Mind-Body Connection: The superhero pose underscores the powerful connection between our mind and body. It’s a reminder that by altering our physical state, we can influence our mental state. This mind-body synergy is a potent tool in overcoming challenges.
How to Incorporate the Superhero Pose
Incorporating the superhero pose into your routine is simple:
1. Find a Private Space: Before your big moment, find a private space where you can stand confidently without feeling self-conscious.
2. Strike the Pose: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, hands on your hips or raised above your head, and chest out. Hold the pose for 2-3 minutes.
3. Visualize Success: While holding the pose, visualize yourself successfully navigating the challenge. Imagine the positive outcomes and how you’ll feel achieving them.
4. Breathe Deeply: Take deep breaths, allowing yourself to calm any lingering nerves and to reinforce the feeling of empowerment.
Conclusion
The superhero pose is more than just a quirky technique; it’s a scientifically backed method to boost your confidence and performance before facing a challenge. By incorporating this simple yet effective pose into your preparation routine, you can transform moments of self-doubt into opportunities for triumph. So next time you’re on the brink of a significant challenge, channel your inner superhero and stand tall. You might just surprise yourself with the results.
Video from Pubity at https://www.tiktok.com/@pubity
EVERY senior community needs an inoperable car with working radio in their parking lot. That way the senior can sit in it rocking out for the memories. For some that might be the only joy they have in life, especially if their families have taken them to senior communities or nursing homes and rarely, if ever, visit.
We think ALL HUD housing needs Solar. Just think of all the money they'd save the government!
Susan Auslander, age 89, Spearheaded a Solar-Energy Drive in Connecticut and it worked!
An octogenarian Hunter College alumna has spearheaded a successful drive to install solar panels throughout her Connecticut retirement community — and she’s just getting started.
(This was not for low income housing, but it could be.)
CLICK HERE TO READ WHAT SHE DID
Her Retirement Home Said ‘No’ to Solar Panels. She Got It to Buy 1,344.
In what seemed like a futile fight with her retirement community’s management, Susan Auslander, just shy of 90, found an opening.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT WHAT Susan Auslander did
Things my mom did when she lived in MN before she came back home to Colorado (Click news article name to read more.)
Got a bus stop at the library
and
Marshall woman petitions to have bus stop at library
Helped turn ALL HUD housing into non-smoking
Another game-changer in the works to eliminate smoking
and
HUD SECRETARY CASTRO ANNOUNCES PUBLIC HOUSING TO BE SMOKE-FREE
New rule protects health and safety of residents, saves PHAs millions of dollars in preventable damage
Nov 30, 2016
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HUD's national smoke-free policy will save public housing agencies $153 million every year in repairs and preventable fires, including $94 million in secondhand smoke-related health care, $43 million in renovation of smoking-permitted units, and $16
https://archives.hud.gov/news/2016/pr16-184.cfm#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Centers%20for,smoking%2Dpermitted%20units%2C%20and%20%2416
(Just think of how much it would save our government to add solar to HUD/low income housing!)
How To Use The Internet To Pay For Your Dental Bills
This is how mom got the funds to finance some of her dental work 8 years ago
(THE LINKS THEY TALK ABOUT FOR MOM ARE NO LONGER VALID - THIS WAS FILMED 8 YEARS AGO)
This is mom's interview on a National podcast. She was also interviewed by NBC National News about the harassment and stalking she's endured in 1994. It's off-and-on to this day, December 13, 2023.
