CooL Dudette ;P
How to Be a COOL YOU?!?
Steps
- Act like you don’t care what people think of you. We will always, on some level, be concerned with others’ opinions of ourselves, but realize that ultimately, you will never be able to please everyone, so why bother trying? People have millions of ways to get under your skin. Learn to spot them and become immune.
- Be aware of how people perceive you. This might seem to contradict the previous step, but there’s a difference in letting people’s judgments affect your self esteem, and being aware of how you come off to others. What you are really doing is learning how to better perceive yourself. In terms of physical appearance, beware of food getting stuck in your teeth, bad breath, body odor, toilet paper stuck to your shoe, etc. In terms of composure, try not to stare too much (it makes people uncomfortable), stand/sit up straight (it makes you look and feel more confident), smile generously, be polite and considerate, etc.
- Present yourself in a way that makes you feel the most comfortable and confident. Walk with good posture and look people in the eye. If you slump or stare at your feet, people won’t respect you. You have to look and feel confident in order to receive the respect you need.
- Find real friends. For example, if people don’t hang out with you because you don’t wear designer clothes, they are not real friends. Instead, find friends that see you for who you are. If the people standing in front of you can’t see you for you, then how can they be your friend?
- Don’t be afraid to be different, whether that means standing up for yourself, defending someone else, or taking interest in something that no one else does, like playing an instrument or dancing when no one else will. The coolest people are the ones who occasionally break against the tide and make people question the status quo.
- Speak up. Observe people who are “cool”–they usually speak confidently and clearly, at a good pace. They don’t chatter rapidly, pause, or mumble. They say what they mean, and mean what they say. Be confident in your word and don’t let anyone try and change it. If you state your opinion and people disagree, don’t worry. You said what you felt and people will respect you for that, unless you use it knowing it will offend someone. However, make it count. Don’t shout out your opinion just to be heard. Make sure it’s relevant, and be ready to back it up soundly.
- Learn how to laugh at yourself. Being cool doesn’t mean being perfect, and being able to find humor in your moments of clumsiness and discomfort is the defining hallmark of being cool. People will not only respect you for it, but they’ll like you for being human, just like them.
- Write a list of all of the goals you are aiming for. What essentially makes you cool is your identity. Try to find your talent — sports, music, art, whatever. People will notice your passion and respect you for it.
- Take a deep breath. Being cool is all about being relaxed and comfortable in any circumstance. Don’t lose your cool. If you feel yourself about to lose your temper, or burst into tears, or lose control in any way, take a deep breath and excuse yourself. Stay calm. Don’t be disruptive, annoying, or have unpredictable mood changes. You are serene and steadfast in your coolness and it should show. That means not getting too caught up in anything, not even your cool self.
- Be friendly, but not excessively eager. Everyone loves someone who is outgoing, but nobody likes someone who is overly excited. Many people find someone who is overeager to be annoying. Try not to force yourself on people. Smile and strike up a conversation, but make sure you know the line between friendly and obsessive.
