Twelve Days of Body Language Christmas
Posted on 12/28/10
Happy Holidays, everyone! Without further ado, I give you the "Twelve Days of Body Language Christmas":
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me.
12 Eyebrows Lifting - Raised eyebrows are a good indication of surprise. Keep in mind, a true look of surprise only lasts a few seconds before fading into another expression (hopefully happiness). You'll know that special someone figured out what you were getting them if their eyebrows stay up too long!
11 Palms Awaiting - Whether asking for help with decorations or requesting a favor from a co-worker, use a "palms up" gesture instead of a "palms down" gesture. You'll appear more open and inviting, and less like you're giving a command. For a helpful holiday reminder, picture yourself receiving a present or holding a tray of cookies!
10 Fingers Tented - Tenting your fingers in a "power steeple" makes you appear more powerful. Avoid it at a holiday party so you don't look like Ebeneezer Scrooge, but definitely pull off this power move when you get back to the office.
9 Ladies Flirting - Ladies: draw attention to your neck dimple by flirtatiously playing with your holiday necklace. It may be chilly, but leave that turtleneck in the closet-exposing your neck is sure to heat up any room.
8 Shoulders Shrugging - Shrugging shoulders indicate uncertainty, and shrugging coupled with a definitive statement negates the statement. When Uncle Joe unwraps the sweater you knitted for him, shrugs, and says, "I love it!" you'll know that you missed the mark this year.
7 Navels Gazing - Your navel is like a third eye. We all point our bellybuttons toward people we like, admire, and trust. Take that into consideration when your belly is shaking like a bowlful of jelly and make sure you're pointing it toward the person who just made the hilarious joke.
6 Eyes-a-Smiling - You can tell a real smile from a fake one by looking at a couple of indicators. Real smiles happen in the eyes, which crinkle up at the corners showing the "crows' feet." The mouth is also drawn up toward the ears and not straight backward. Remember this by remembering the description of Santa in "'Twas the Night Before Christmas": His eyes-how they twinkled! His dimples so merry!"
5 Cold Shoulders - If you're talking to someone you want to keep as a friend, don't chat over your shoulder. This time of year the weather is cold enough without frigid body language!
4 Eyes Together - When you make eye contact, make sure you're making an appropriate amount. Anything more than 80% will intimidate most people, so look away to admire the decorations once in a while during conversation. After all, you don't want to come off like a creepy, frozen snowman with two lumps of coal for eyes!
3 Power Zones - Remember to keep all three power zones-neck dimple, bellybutton, and "naughty bits"-unobstructed at all times. Blocking power zones blocks your power. If you need a refresher, just look at a gingerbread man cookie!
2 Folded Arms - Folding your arms can help you solve tough problems, but it can also make you look closed off, unapproachable, uninterested, and angry. Don't be a Grinch! If the Grinch had his arms folded, we wouldn't be able to see that his heart grew three sizes on Christmas!
And Apart Limbs Like a Christmas Tree - A good rule of thumb is to keep your arms apart (think standing with your hands on your hips) and your legs apart (at least shoulder-width). To keep an open, confident posture at all times, stretch your limbs out like a Christmas tree!
Merry Christmas!
