Time to Make Yourself Big. Stop Hiding

More Thoughts On Careers:

No doubt you've seen the popular TED talk of the psychologist and former Harvard Business School Professor Amy Cuddy who know writes often for LinkedIn. #AmyCuddy . https://bit.ly/30SRWrq

Dr Cuddy talks about the importance of body language and the power pose—where one stands tall, open, and relaxed—which shows your confidence in what you do. I have seen her techniques get results in my classes when I’ve shown the videos of her talks.

In one her talks that was written up in the New York Times, she told an auditorium of 1,500 people that “making yourself big” for just two minutes before a meeting changes the brain in ways that build courage, reduce anxiety, and inspire leadership.

“Stand tall,” she tells them, “we tested it in the lab—it really works.” In the lobby after her talk, clusters of men and women stretched out like starfish and stood like Wonder Woman [hands on hips, legs wide] to try out the effects.

In one talk, she showed images of Oprah Winfrey, Freddie Mercury, and track star Usain Bolt in expansive mode. Their photos showed that they do not hide. They put themselves fully out there. “Let your body tell you you’re powerful and deserving, and you become more present, enthusiastic and authentically yourself,” she tells young people. Notice that she says, “authentically yourself.”

The confidence is already there within you. It just might be covered up.

I’ve seen the power pose make a difference for others and myself. Try it! 

You just think in that moment, “Why not?” When you get courage making yourself big, grab it.

Marc Martinez, one of my students at Cal Poly in California, #CalPolyPomona landed a job as a sales rep when he graduated. It took him about a year to realize that his fear was keeping him from pursuing a job and a career in the communication industry which he had prepared for. He remembered the “superman” exercise we did in class one day, which was very similar to the kinds of exercises Amy Cuddy spoke about in her TED Talk.

I had learned the Superman Exercise in reading the books of #EricMorris and in the acting classes I took with Eric Morris.[ Yes, I studied acting]

Students had to come up in front of the class and proudly proclaim what was super about themselves. Doing this exercise was liberating for Marc. The feeling of gratitude, power, and confidence was unmistakable. It led him to explore the connection between his internal thoughts and their effect on his states of consciousness. It was subtle, yet profound. 

I had told the class, “You are not what you think you are, but rather, what you think is what you are.” After a year in sales Marc remembered this exercise and moved from sales into a job with a TV station.

When you give a presentation or have a job interview, fill the room.

Have you used the power pose? Can you think of some places where you could use it?

Adapted from my book, NO REGRETS: How to Kickstart Your Career And Your Life now on Kindle and Amazon worldwide. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CSRDXZN