Body Language - 14 Distracting Mannerisms That Can Cost You Sales

Can Alabama Lemon Laws picture this body language? At a client meeting, Tom, the sales rep, is unconsciously clicking his pen. Sonia, his Santa Claus Conquers the Martians is playing with her hair. Mark, the sale manager, is picking at his cuticles as he concentrates on what the client is saying.

We may not be aware of our mannerisms, but other people are. Distracting mannerisms can pull attention away from the speaker, and cause them Weneedyou lose their train of thought. What's worse, we seldom realize our own mannerisms and the effect they have on others.

Here are 14 distracting behaviors. Are you guilty of any of them?

1. Scratching ourselves

2. Bite or licking our lips

3. Play with or stroking hair, mustache or beard

4. Picking teeth, fingernails or cuticles

5. Adjusting glasses, hair or clothing

6. Clicking pens

7. Bending paper clips or playing with rubber bands

8. Drum our fingers or tapping our feet

9. Whole body movements such as rocking, swaying or pacing

10. Jiggling pocket change

11. Clearing our throats

12. Frowning in concentration

13. Yawning with the mouth wide open

14. Twisting a ring, or removing and replacing it

These unconscious mannerisms send the message that we are tired, bored or distracted. We can catch ourselves and eliminate distracting habits so we look poised and professional. Ask a trusted friend to help you identify your tics and twitches.

You can undercut your words with your body language. If you tap your pen when you speak, the person listening to you will remember your pen. Sit still so you won't create distractions.

Whatever you do, from adjusting your eyeglasses to handing out a business card, avoid abrupt, jerky movements that make you look nervous or contraceptive To exude self-confidence, keep all your movements controlled and purposeful.

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From Lynda Goldman, author of 30 books including How to Make a Million Dollar First Impression