If you feel like you’re the awkward person at social events or you struggle to enter into conversations because you’re shy, it can impact your social life and your career.
However, you can start improving your social skills by following these 12 strategies and soon, you’ll be able to enter into conversations with confidence.
1. Behave Like a Social Person
You can behave like a more social creature, even if you don’t feel like it.
Don’t allow anxiety to hold you back. Make the decision to talk to new people and to enter into conversations even when you’re feeling nervous about it.
Over time, it will get easier and you’ll quickly start improving your social skills.
2. Start Small if Necessary
If going to a party or spending time in a crowd seems overwhelming, start small.
Go into the grocery store and say, “Thank you,” to the clerk or go to a restaurant and order your food. Practice making small talk gradually.
3. Ask Open-Ended Questions
If you want the attention off you in a conversation, get familiar with open-ended questions. Encourage others to talk so you won’t have to make the idle chit-chat.
Ask questions that require more than a yes or no answer and you may open the door to invite the other person to keep the conversation going.
Take a look at these tips on How to Be Amazingly Good at Asking Questions.
4. Encourage Others to Talk About Themselves
Most people really enjoy talking about themselves. Ask a question about a person’s career, hobbies, or family. Show you’re interested in hearing what is being said.
If you want to keep the conversation going, you should make it like playing ping pong. Learn more about it here: How to Connect With Someone Deeper Within a Short Time
5. Create Goals For Yourself
Establish some small goals for yourself. Perhaps you want to practice one particular skill or maybe you want to start attending a social activity in your community.
Establish a goal and begin to work on strategies that will improve your social life.
Even better, learn to use SMART Goal to help you communicate better.
6. Offer Compliments Generously
Compliments can be a great way to open the door to a conversation. Offer a co-worker a compliment on a presentation he gave at a meeting or compliment your neighbor on his new car.
Compliments can show others that you are friendly.
7. Read Books About Social Skills
There are many books on the market that can help you learn specific social skills and ways to start conversations.
However, keep in mind that reading about these skills won’t make you an expert. You’ll need to practice them over and over again.
Some books recommendations here: 20 Powerful Books to Win You Friends and Influence More People
8. Practice Good Manners
Good manners go a long way in improving social skills. Practice being polite, showing gratitude, and using good table manners.
9. Pay Attention to Your Body Language
Non-verbal communication is very important. Pay attention to the type of body language you use.
Try to appear relaxed, make appropriate amounts of eye contact, and appear open to conversation.
Learn how to properly use your body languages here: Be Instantly Irresistible With These 10 Body Language Tips
10. Join a Social Skills Support Group
Many communities offer social skill support groups. Support groups help people who feel shy, awkward, or extremely anxious in social situations learn and practice new skills.
You’ll start improving social skills and may be able to make new friends who understand your difficulties.
11. Stay Up to Date on Current Events
Read up on current trends and news stories so you have something to talk about with people.
Try to avoid anything that is too controversial, such as politics, but do talk about other news stories that may be of interest.
It can be a great way to start a conversation and can help you stick to neutral subjects.
12. Identify and Replace Negative Thoughts
If you have a lot of negative thoughts about your social interactions, it could become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
For example, a person who thinks, “I’m really awkward and I will embarrass myself,” may sit in the corner at a party. As a result, he may leave the party thinking that he must be really awkward because no one talked to him.
Identify negative thoughts that are likely dragging you down. Replace them with more realistic thoughts such as, “I can make conversation and I can meet new people.”
Don’t allow yourself to dwell on thoughts that aren’t productive! Find out How to Handle Negative Thoughts here.
Final Thoughts
Good social skills are essential for effective communication. If you find socializing with others a challenge, start to take on my suggestions and practice each of them consistently.
Great social skills don’t come easily, you need to practice yourself and really try these tips by talking with others.
