If often said that we only have one chance to make a first impression and it is so true. Most people will base their impression of you in the first few minutes or even seconds of meeting you. Unlike these things you want to stop doing to yourself, learning some psychological life hacks will help you achieve everything you want out of life.
Knowing how to act or how to get through these social situations smoothly can lead to new opportunities in your life or open the door to a new career. These 25 psychological life hacks are incredibly useful because you’ll end up using some of them nearly every day.
Psychological life hacks #1: When you first meet people, try to notice their eye color while also smiling at them.
It might be because you look for a second or two longer, but all I can tell you is that people really respond to it.
Psychological life hacks #2: Pay attention to people’s feet.
If you approach two people in the middle of a conversation and they only turn their torsos and not their feet, they don’t want you to join in the conversation. Similarly, if you are in a conversation with a coworker who you think is paying attention to you and their torso is turned towards you but their feet are facing in another direction, they want the conversation to end.
Psychological life hacks #3: Foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
People are more likely to agree to do a task for you if you ask them to do something simpler first. (Gradual commitment makes people think you like them.)
Psychological life hacks #4: Alternatively, you ask them to do an unreasonable task and they’ll say no.
So then you should ask for a more reasonable task and they will be more likely to agree.
Psychological life hacks #5: If you ask someone to do you a small favor…
…cognitive dissonance will make them believe that because they did that favor, they must like you. (Ben Franklin)
Psychological life hacks #6: If you ask someone a question and they only partially answer, just wait.
If you stay silent and keep eye contact they will usually continue talking.
Psychological life hacks #7: Chew gum when you’re approaching a situation that would make you nervous.
I can’t remember where I heard it, but apparently, if we are ‘eating’ then something in our brains trip and it reasons ‘I would not be eating if I were in danger. So I’m not in danger.’ Psychological life hacks like this one has helped to calm me a few times.
Psychological life hacks #8: Avoid the sidewalk shuffle by looking intently over the person’s shoulder or between people’s heads in a group.
Your gaze shows them where you’re going. They’ll drift toward the opposing side and create a gap to avoid you.
Psychological life hacks #9: When you’re studying/learning something new, teach a friend how to do it.
Let them ask questions. If you’re able to teach something well, you understand it.
Psychological life hacks #10: People will remember not what you said…
…but how you made them feel.
Psychological life hacks #11: Alter your psychological state before an interview or important meeting.
Tell yourself “I’ve known these people all my life. We’re old friends catching up. I can’t wait to see them.” Visualize the experience of shaking hands, making eye contact, and having a smooth conversation. What are things you cannot wait to tell them? Hold an open pose, stand with your legs apart, hands on your hips, and shoulders back while doing this and SMILE. This may sound cliche, but you are in charge of your own psychological state and the power of suggestion is strong.
Psychological life hacks #12: If you get yourself to be really happy and excited to see other people, they will react the same to you.
Psychological life hacks like this one doesn’t always happen the first time, but it will definitely happen next time.
Psychological life hacks #13: My personal favorite is when people are angry at me.
If I stay calm it’ll get them even angrier, and they’ll feel ashamed about it after.
Psychological life hacks #14: If you have a warm hand when you shake somebody’s hand…
…you immediately become a more desirable person to get along with.
Psychological life hacks #15: People have a certain image of themselves and will fight tooth and nail to cling to it.
Use psychological life hacks like this one wisely. You can make people dislike you by attacking their self-image.
Psychological life hacks #16: When someone gets in your face screaming, let them get it out…
…then lower your voice in response. Talk so low that it’s close to a whisper. You’d be amazed at how quickly they lower their tone and focus clearly on their issue. If you’re calm, they will feel like calming down themselves.
Psychological life hacks #17: False attribution of arousal.
When you take somebody out on a first date, take them somewhere exciting that will get their heart beating such as a roller coaster or horror film. This gets their adrenaline up. It makes them think they enjoy spending time with you rather than the activity.
Psychological life hacks #18: The key to confidence…
…is walking into a room and assume that everyone already likes you.
19) The physical effects of stress (increased breathing rate, heart rate, etc.) mirror identically the physical effects of courage.
So when you’re feeling stress from any situation immediately reframe it: your body is getting ready to do something courageous, it’s not feeling stress. A great example of cognitive reframing, researchers found that you will do better when you use psychological life hacks and appraise a stressful situation as a challenge and not a threat.
20) Refer to people you’ve just met by their name.
People loving being referred to by their name and it will establish a sense of trust and friendship right away.
21) If you make the biggest smile you can…
…you will automatically feel happier.
22) The moment your alarm wakes you up…
…immediately react by sitting up, pump your fists and shout “YEAH!”
23) Always give your kid a choice that makes them think they are in control.
For instance, when I want him to put his shoes on I will say, ”Do you want to put on your Star Wars shoes or your shark shoes?”
24) People are extraordinarily aware of their sense of touch.
If someone ‘accidentally’ rests their knee on yours, they may not give the impression that they realize it, but they definitely know that it’s there.
25) When negotiating, always ask for more than what you expect to get.
Depending on the situation, know exactly what you would be happy with and go above your expectations. In regards to getting more at the negotiation table, Henry Kinsinger had this to say, “Effectiveness at the conference table depends upon overstating one’s demands.” If you want the best deal on a car, go a little lower with your offer or when negotiating a salary, go a little higher. This gives you a better chance of getting something you’ll be satisfied with before signing off on it.
H/t: LifeBuzz
Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, learning how to handle social situations is one of the greatest human skills you can have. Please share these handy psychological life hacks with your friends and family.
