1. It's only one syllable--"hi"--but it can be the hardest to get out. It's human nature to feel nervous when initiating contact with someone new. Fear and doubt swirl. We focus on the embarrassment and the rejection rather than the opportunity of a new business partner, sales prospect or friend. Here are eight tips for getting past the sticking point and making the first move.
2. Make Eye Contact
Making the first move is all in the sell. Anxiousness and lack of confidence don't sell (unless you're Woody Allen). The best way to appear confident even if you aren't: Make eye contact, says David Barlow, founder and director emeritus of the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Boston University. Marry that with a warm--but not obsequious--smile, and you'll be off to a good start.
3. Picture Someone Familiar
In stressful times, self-induced head-fakes are powerful palliatives. Before approaching someone, look for physical characteristics that remind you of a close friend or relative. Maybe the person's hair is like your mother's; maybe he smiles like your best friend. Focus on the similarities, and you can convince yourself, if only for the moment, that you are comfortable with a complete stranger, says Barlow.
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