It's that time of year. All the parties and mingling are at their peak. That's great for the extroverts, but what about the other half? Fifty percent of us are introverts. If you have a stack of invites collecting on your fridge and want this year to be different (read: you can start a conversation rather than wait in a corner for someone to start one with you), then keep reading. Here are 3 easy steps to build your party confidence.
1. rsvp yes
When the invite comes in, call the host to confirm your attendance. Don't let the invite hang over your head like a dark cloud or wait for something better to come up--just do it. Commit. Put the date in your calendar. Tell people you'll be there. It's tougher to bail out when friends are expecting you.
2. rehearse
Yes, rehearse. You've already established that "winging it" in cocktail conversations is not your style. Have 3 ready-made conversations in your pocket. Be sure two of these topics are shared experiences, as in the others in the conversation will be able to contribute (ex: work related story, family, kids) and the other is specific to you (ex: kite boarding, stamp collecting, dog breeding). If the conversation dips, you can always ask people about themselves (ex: How do you know the host? What do you do for a living? What got you interested in your hobby?). People love to talk about themselves, as long as they don't feel like you are prying.
3. fake it 'till you make it
No one will know the difference if you feel truly confident or if you are faking a confident disposition. So go ahead and fake it 'till you make it. Try on the confidence (NOT arrogance) and start these conversations. You have the tools, now make it your own. With practice, you will be able work a party room without too much pre-planning. Your confidence will shine thru and parties will be fun again.
Happy Holidays!
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