1 Stand tall Tall people are perceived as more confident and more successful. To appear taller, imagine a string pulling upwards through your body and out of your head. Then think about resting your jaw on an imaginary wall. This lifts your face while opening your airway enabling you to breathe more freely.

2 Look around You can spot a nervous person because they look frozen. Instead, allow yourself to look around, in the same way a lighthouse moves. If you catch someone's eye, give them a gentle smile - they'll often smile back.

3 Smile Strangers always look at the face first to decide if you are friendly or not. A gentle smile like the Mona Lisa will soon put them at ease. That way, you can 'dial up' your smile to show agreement or enjoyment later on in the conversation.

4 Breathe Nerves prevent you from making rational decisions. To calm yourself, inhale for 4 seconds & exhale for 6. Exhaling lowers your blood pressure & slows your heartbeat and the counting switches your brain from an emotional state to a rational one.

5 Shine People are attracted to everything that appears full of life. Anything that reflects light is regarded as healthy and attractive. Add shine into your appearance: comb your hair, shine the toes of your shoes, and make sure your glasses are smudge-free.