My favorite Amazonian superhero was all the rage this year when the film Wonder Woman 1984 debuted. Despite all the rage, I restrained myself from watching it because I wanted to watch it at the perfect time. This weekend was that time. Cuddled up with my husband on the couch, we ended up binge watching all Wonder Woman films.
Of all the awesomeness, something grabbed my attention. The Wonder Woman pose: hands on hips, feet wide apart, shoulders back, staring confidently forward.
Upon my scrutiny, I learnt that the Wonder Woman's famous posture itself has been a subject of debate among researchers. Termed as the Wonder Woman power pose, study suggests that those who adopted the power pose demonstrated an increase in testosterone (associated with dominance, confidence, aggressiveness) and a decrease in cortisol(associated with stress).
In other words, by commanding a powerful stance, we can make ourselves actually feel more powerful. I had to try it out myself.
Power posing became popular after Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist and associate professor at Harvard Business school, told a TED audience about her research which indicated that when people assume an open or expansive stance (make themselves appear taller and wider), they subsequently feel more powerful. In her studies, Cuddy, along with colleagues, had participants assume either an expansive posture or a contractive posture (leaning inward, legs crossed) for a couple of minutes prior to completing tasks. The researchers found that after adopting an expansive pose, study participants felt more powerful, took more risk in a gambling task and performed better in a mock interviews than those who had adopted contracted poses.
Other researchers have continued to study this phenomenon, and one study published in March, found children as young as fourth grade who assumed an expansive pose reported better student-teacher relationships and reported feeling more powerful than those who adopted a contracted pose.
This is for those seeking ways to build their confidence, especially for when in very stressful situations like before interviews. The job candidates should escape to the rest room and engage in two minutes of high power posing before meeting their interviewer. Try it everyday for two minutes, and before making a presentation at work, or going on a date.
It worked for me, and it can work for you as well.
Confidence is a quality that is cultivated over time through practice and self-awareness. Initially, it may require some level of "faking it" until one truly embodies confidence. This iterative process involves building up experiences of acting confidently, which eventually leads to genuine confidence. However, a strong foundation of self-assurance is crucial for sustained confidence. Understanding and accepting oneself, along with being comfortable in one's own skin, form the bedrock of true confidence.
Self-doubt, fear of failure, and concerns about others' opinions often undermine confidence, highlighting the importance of inner strength and self-belief. Courage, resilience, and a willingness to take risks are fundamental traits that contribute to confidence. Feeling loved and supported also plays a significant role in bolstering one's sense of confidence and empowerment.
Personal experiences, such as the advice received from a mentor or a parent, can shape one's journey towards confidence. Learning to maintain composure under pressure and developing a mindset of belonging and deserving success are transformative steps in building lasting confidence. Over time, the need for external validation diminishes as one becomes more self-assured and focused on personal growth.
Embracing a mindset of perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges is key to fostering confidence. By acknowledging that failure is a natural part of the learning process, individuals can approach setbacks with a positive attitude, viewing them as opportunities for improvement. The ability to remain true to oneself, regardless of external opinions, empowers individuals to navigate obstacles with determination and unwavering self-assurance.
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