Knowing how human behavior works can give you a huge step up in handling life. Whether it is social situations or curbing bad behavior, here are 12 psychological tricks you can use to navigate life. Let’s get started!
1. Reframing Your Questions
Instead of directly asking someone to do something, frame it as a preference question such as “Would you be opposed to doing this?”. This approach feels less demanding and gives people a sense of control. It also raises the likelihood of receiving a positive response.
2. Projecting Confidence Through Eye Contact
Maintaining eye contact might feel daunting, but it can project confidence. The more you start using direct eye contact, the more you start to feel more self-assured in day-to-day interactions.
3. Building Trust With Parents
If your job entails working with clients, try asking about whether they have children. Asking to see a photo or inquiring about their kids’ achievements creates a personal connection that’s invaluable.
4. Sneaky Bedtime for Kids
If you ever have trouble getting young kids to sleep, try telling them that they have no bedtime tonight. It’s a clever way to use their excitement against them, ensuring they get a good night’s sleep.
5. Mirroring to Connect
Mimicking someone’s body language during a conversation can make them feel more at ease. This technique, known as mirroring, helps establish rapport without words and is especially effective when meeting new people.
6. Calming Upset Callers
For people working in customer service, an angry caller is a nightmare. Showing empathy as well as expressing an understanding of the caller’s frustrations can go a long way towards calming them down. It shows you’re on their side and eager to resolve their issue, which can turn the call around.
7. Local Connections for Better Service
Here’s another tip for those working in customer or client services: mention local landmarks or locations that you share with customers. It personalizes the conversation and breaks down barriers, leading to more positive exchanges.
8. Using Silence as a Strategy
After requesting something, if you’re met with resistance, staying silent can be powerful. This tactic often makes the other person reconsider their stance, potentially leading to the outcome you want.
9. Habit Correction
Doing things like wearing a rubber band on your wrist and snapping it when you catch yourself indulging in a bad habit, like nail biting, can be a deterrent. This form of conditioning can lead to long-term behavioral change.
10. Tricking Yourself to Sleep
Do you ever find yourself struggling to fall asleep with only a few hours before work? Pretending it’s almost time for you to wake up can help you drift off faster.
11. Empowering Kids With Choices
Giving children the illusion of choice, like selecting between two types of fruit, can make them more cooperative. It empowers them, making them feel involved and more willing to comply with your request.
12. Commanding Respect Through Speech
To be taken more seriously, lower your voice slightly and speak with deliberate intent. This approach lends an air of authority and credibility, making others want to listen more closely to you.
