Overcome Your Nerves When Meeting New People

It's common to feel nervous when meeting new people. The reason for this? There could be a few, including being anxious about how people will perceive you, believing that you won't be liked or fearing you have nothing valuable or interesting to say. In general, we all want to avoid being rejected (i.e. being disliked, overlooked or looked down upon) by the new people we meet. The good thing is, it's not unnatural to have these fears and we can learn ways to overcome our nervousness. Here are 8 great tips that will help you beat those nerves:

1. Take a good friend with you
It doesn't seem so intimidating meeting a stranger when you have someone you know beside you. Having someone with you who makes you feel comfortable, relaxed and happy will help you feel the same way when you are being introduced to new people. They can also help carry conversations and will serve as a visual reminder that you are a likeable person who other people are happy to be around.

2. Remember a simple fact
One simple truth is that we are all human! Everyone is the same, wanting to be liked by other people and fearing rejection. People are just as likely to be nervous about your opinions of them as you might be of theirs. They'll hope they'll be liked by you, too. Try not to put anyone on a pedestal when you meet them but see them as equals with similar feelings and fears as you - hopefully they won't seem as intimidating that way.

3. Write a list
If you worry about what you will say when having conversations with new people, make a written or mental list of some topics that you might discuss with them. For instance, if you are attending a networking event for journalists, read a few newspapers or trade journals and pick out a few subjects you think would interest others. Then, if you feel a dip in the conversation you're having with someone, casually bring up a topic, e.g., 'Do you know what I read the other day which I found really interesting?' Sometimes, just being prepared for new conversations will help you feel less nervous.

4. Splash out on yourself
Why not treat yourself to a new look? Get your hair cut or styled, buy a new suit or dress, find a new lipstick or cologne - anything that makes you look and feel more confident. Try to make yourself look how you wish to feel - interesting, attractive and sure of yourself. This added confidence will help you feel less anxious when you're hoping to make a good first impression with the people you meet.

5. Be yourself
Remember, the only important thing you need to do when you meet new people is to be yourself! If you're at a business networking event or even a social gathering, people meeting you will want to know who you really are. Not everyone will like you - the same way you won't like everyone you meet - but people are naturally attracted to other people they perceive as genuine and honest. Don't try to make yourself into something or someone that you aren't - be happy with who you are and others will appreciate your authenticity.

6. Think positively
Don't allow yourself to think negative thoughts about yourself - especially during the lead-up to an event involving meeting new people. Instead, train yourself to think positively. What are your strengths? What do you like about yourself? Why should other people enjoy meeting you? Try creating positive visualizations of yourself meeting new people and being confident, with no nervousness in sight. If you do these things often enough, you'll retrain the way you think about yourself over time.

7. Use Breathing Techniques
When you feel nervous, your breathing becomes fast and shallow. Learn good breathing exercises that will help you take controlled, slow and deep breaths. With practice, you'll be able to repeat them whenever you need to, to help you feel more relaxed. Even when you're meeting new people, it's easy to use this technique without being noticed.

8. Practice
If you are always nervous when meeting new people, try to put yourself in these situations more often. The saying that practice makes perfect really does work. The more often you do something intimidating, the less intimidating it will become the next time you do it. That means you should get out there and meet new people as often as you can - soon you'll realize it's something you're used to and won't have to feel nervous about!

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