We often overlook the importance of day-to-day interactions with people. The way others perceive us can greatly affect our work and personal lives. Generally, it’s important to be friendly and approachable to everyone. We all want to be someone who is well liked. Your friends want to be able to act like themselves around you, and your coworkers shouldn’t feel like they’re walking on eggshells when dealing with you. You want to feel natural when you’re talking with others, and you want others to feel comfortable when talking with you.
But how do you create this approachability in the first place? If you’re not part of a social circle, trying to break into one can be challenging. Not everyone is born with the infectious charisma others seem to have.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make you more personable that don’t require a great deal of effort. They’re little things that you can do throughout the day and, in time, will make people want to seek you out rather than wait for you to come to them.
Engage Them First
Like many people, I’m a bit socially awkward at times. Even so, I know the importance of putting myself out there.
The best way to become more approachable is to be someone who isn’t afraid to approach others. Take the initiative to interact with others whenever you can.
The workplace offers many opportunities to engage others. Sit down with someone in the break room and strike up a conversation. Hold open a door for someone and exchange a few words with him or her as they walk by. Even a friendly greeting done in passing is a drop in the cup, and every little bit helps.
Engaging your friends shows them you have a definite interest in them, and helps reaffirm your friendship. Don’t wait for your friends to call you. If you want to spend time with them, be the one who makes the date to hang out.
Proactive people are often easier to build a rapport with than people who seem distant or introverted.
Show Others Your Worth
I’m not saying that everyone looks for some type of gain when selecting friends. Plenty of people get along without ever doing anything beyond occasionally talking. However, if you can demonstrate your worth to others, it may ensure that they seek your advice in the future.
Reliable, dependable individuals are highly sought after in the workplace. Coworkers are just like anyone else. They can’t do everything on their own. If you’re the sort of person who can help others when they come to you for help, you’ll make a great impression on many people.
Utilize the skills and abilities that you’ve honed for you to help others whenever possible. Just be sure to help people, not do their work for them. No one likes a doormat, so only help with requests that are within reason.
Personal friends often ask for advice from people close to them. Make sure you offer your honest opinion whenever someone talks to you about a difficult problem or situation.
While honesty is not always as well received as unconsciously agreeing with everything someone says, people certainly respect the fact you’re the type of person who can say things with conviction. It’s a trait few people use, and sometimes it helps others hear things what they really needed to hear.
Exude Self Confidence
Everyone feels insecure at times; some of us feel insecure most of the time. So when people see someone doubting him or herself it instantly raises a number of flags for that person.
To be confident in what you do and to share that confidence with others is one of the most important social skills a person can master.
Try to make everything you say and do an extension of the person you want to be. Take on all your work and personal challenges with determination and an unshakeable resolve. People always notice the confidence of others.
When people see you’re the sort of person who can write in pen, while everyone else is using a pencil, they’ll gravitate towards that confident energy.
Like everything worth having in life, being a sociable person takes a bit of work and effort. Never feel discouraged about the steps you take to establish a friendship with someone. The only regret you should ever have is for a lack of trying.
Nothing can be gained if you don’t first reach out to others. Be a personable person. Shine in a way that only you can, and others will gladly warm themselves in your brilliant light.
Now get out there, and show the world the you they’ve been waiting for.
