1. STAND UP STRAIGHT.There is nothing at all awkward about a person who stands up straight and keeps...

1. How To Be Confident in Awkward Situations
1. STAND UP STRAIGHT.
There is nothing at all awkward about a person who stands up straight and keeps their head held
high. No matter how embarrassing the situation you may be in, standing tall through it all will make
people respect you for your ability to keep walking through the fire, no matter how mortified you
may feel inside.
2. APOLOGIZE...ONLY ONCE.
Being over-apologetic about a little mess-up just gets irritating after a while. Simply acknowledge
your mistake, apologize genuinely, and continue on with whatever you were doing.
3. ...AND REMEMBER, YOU DON'T ALWAYS OWE AN APOLOGY.
If you are being blamed for something you did not do, never apologize and accept the blame just to
avoid confrontation, or to make the person stop crying/yelling. Stick with your story, and if the
person can't accept your truth, tell them you'll talk to them another time, and leave. ALSO, you
never owe an apology for your natural character or passions. Remember, if people can't accept you
for who you are, especially when you are doing no wrong, they are the ones with the problem, not
you.

2. 4. DON'T CUT YOURSELF DOWN, BUT DON'T TALK YOURSELF UP.
Just be yourself, no matter how dumb/awkward you may feel inside. People will notice you for who
you are without your need to disclaim yourself before they get a chance know you. Arrogance is a
turn-off, and self-hatred is a downer. Your words will not change people's opinion of you, so don't
attempt to make up their minds for them. Their minds are already made up.
5. LEARN TO ACCEPT A COMPLIMENT.
When someone compliments you for something you did/wore/said, it takes two simple words.
"THANK YOU," and a nice smile.
6. LAUGH AT YOURSELF.
Everyone has that moment of embarrassment where they failed before a crowd or had pathetic luck.
As mortifying as it was, look up at those around you, smile, laugh, and if you're witty, make fun of
yourself in a comical way. People will not be laughing at you, but laughing with you. Slithering away
with your tail between your legs makes others pity you. Standing before a crowd, and with a smile,
acknowledging your "oops" moment makes people like you.
7. LOOK PEOPLE IN THE EYE.
This is one of the hardest things for some people to do, but making eye contact proves honesty,
confidence, and an unwillingness to be pulled downward in the midst of a conflict. Direct eye contact
also represents power. If you want to be taken seriously, look the person directly in the eye as you
are talking, and they will.
8. GIVE A FIRM HANDSHAKE.
A "floppy fish" handshake makes you seem feeble and timid. A "palm-crusher" makes you seem
overbearing and annoying. Grip the other person's hand firmly in yours, and give three firm shakes.
That will do it. Don't forget to smile and look the person in the eye.
9. INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
Always mention your name. Doing this tells the other person that you are important, no matter how
unimportant you may feel inside. Add your last name, and that exudes even more importance. When
you do this, people will automatically see you as someone worthy of respect, and worthy of
remembrance.
10. SMILE.
There is nothing more confident than a smile. A smile shows openness, ease, confidence, and makes
people feel comfortable around you instantly, no matter how uncomfortable you may feel inside.
11. SPEAK UP, AND SPEAK DISTINCTLY.
Don't mumble and murmur. Use the voice you have, and make sure to say each word clearly. This
will make people view you as intelligent, interesting and important.
12. DON'T BACK DOWN. STICK IT OUT.

3. No matter how humiliated, stupid, or put on the spot you may feel, whether at work, school, or at
any given function in which your presence belongs, don't leave. Stick around. To cower and balk
makes you look as if you agree that you failed. If you remain in the line of fire in the midst of a blow
to your ego, you are confusing the enemy and preventing him from having the last laugh.
REMEMBER: Just when you assume people thought you've given up, prove them WRONG.
13. ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, NO MATTER
WHAT.
Don't live your life to win others approval,
live your life to win your own approval. You
are who you are, and that is all that is
important. It's not your job to make other
people accept you. Its your job to accept
yourself...quirks, and all. Embrace the person
that is you, and you will be happy, and
confident in the end.