I recently learned of an interesting study by Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist known for her research in nonverbal behavior. (Click her name to see a video. I know, I know, it’s 20 minutes long, but if you’re currently looking for a job or speaking publicly or suffering from vague and general feelings of powerlessness and lethargy, it’s worth it.)
“We are intensely interested in what others’ bodies are telling us and what we’re telling others but we tend to forget the other audience that’s influenced by our nonverbals, and that’s ourselves: We are also influenced by our own nonverbals.”
“We know that our minds change our bodies, but is it also true that out bodies change our minds?” (Her answer is yes.)
“Can you fake it till you make it?” (Yes you can!) In Cuddy’s study, one group of participants was instructed to perform a series of powerful movements while another group posed submissively. Then, both groups were interviewed for a job. It only took two minutes of posturing to effect a significant result.
Before I go to my next job interview, I’ll spend two minutes doing the Wonder Woman. Actually, now that I think of it, it couldn’t hurt to do this every day, while I’m brushing my teeth.
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To read more about my obsession with this topic, follow these links:
Body Talk 1
Body Talk 2
Body Talk 3
Body Talk 4
Written All Over Your Face
20 Random Things About Me
Sentience
An Aha Waaaah Moment
Naked Women
“Doing the Wonder Woman.” I do that. Well, not the part where she twirls around and around and magically transforms into herself but definitely the part where she fends off bullets with her bracelets.
Going to check out the video now.
I did the Wonder Woman before I went for a job interview today. We’ll see how it worked!
Walking the walk. Makes sense to me.
I guess linguistically it’s a cliche, but I’m glad to know that it really, really works. (I wonder what happens if you do a sexy pose for 2 minutes? Or what if you pose like Rodin’s Thinker? Hmmm….)
I totally agree. Except, and pardon my complete ignorance but its been a loooooonng time since I’ve seen her, but what is the Wonder Woman?
I’m talking about that pose where you stand with both fists on your hips, feet apart, biceps slightly pumped, no smile. Lynda Carter used to rock it for sure.
Hold on….gonna try it…..yep. Totally works!
Lynda was six feet tall, though. When I do this I look like a grumpy Smurf.
Fascinating. I wonder if there’s any correlation to the increased blood flow and stimulation created by the more powerful movements. Kinda like the work-out-high that some people experience? Unfortunately, not I.
I wonder, too. I think you must be right- the movement triggers the release of something good. (I must admit, I do feel fabulous when I ride my spin bike, but it took a year of riding it almost every day to get there.)
That is tenacity. Which also makes you a good writer, btw.
Oh! I need to watch this - love your body talk series! Let’s go be Wonder Women, shall we?
Just watched the video. Fabulous! Thanks so much for the share… I needed to hear this.
Yes- I say let’s do the WW every morning while we brush our teeth and see if that doesn’t help this job search.