Overcoming discomfort with eye contact from "summary" of The Power of Eye Contact by Michael Ellsberg
Many people feel uncomfortable making eye contact with others. They may avert their gaze, look down, or glance away quickly when someone meets their eyes. This discomfort can stem from a variety of reasons, such as cultural norms, personal insecurities, or social conditioning. However, overcoming this discomfort is crucial for building strong connections with others and conveying confidence and trust. One way to overcome discomfort with eye contact is to start small and gradually increase the amount of time you spend looking into someone's eyes. Begin by making brief eye contact with people you interact with throughout the day, such as cashiers, colleagues, or strangers on the street. As you become more comfortable with this level of eye contact, challenge yourself to hold eye contact for slightly longer periods of time. Another strategy is to practice maintaining eye contact during conversations with friends, family members, or coworkers. Focus on the person's eyes as they speak, rather than looking away or getting distracted. By actively engaging with the other person through eye contact, you demonstrate attentiveness and respect. It can also be helpful to remind yourself of the benefits of making eye contact. Eye contact is a powerful form of nonverbal communication that conveys interest, empathy, and sincerity. When you make eye contact with someone, you show that you are fully present in the moment and engaged in the interaction. In addition, working on building your self-confidence can help reduce discomfort with eye contact. By cultivating a positive self-image and practicing self-acceptance, you can feel more at ease connecting with others through eye contact. Remember that making eye contact is a skill that can be developed and improved over time with practice and patience.- Overcoming discomfort with eye contact requires awareness, practice, and a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. By gradually increasing your level of eye contact, focusing on the benefits of connecting with others through eye contact, and building your self-confidence, you can develop stronger, more meaningful relationships and communicate with greater authenticity and impact.
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