How to Make Better Eye Contact

Proper eye contact is tricky because if there is too much it will come off as strange. However, if you don't make enough eye contact, you can appear socially awkward. If you're not someone who makes eye contact easily, you can work your way up to a comfort zone.

Instructions

1. Work on the proper eye contact gradually since some people may get nervous if they think you're staring. Start with a brief glance and gradually work on maintaining the contact for a few seconds at a time.

2. Practice first as the listener first then work your way to making better eye contact as the speaker. When you are listening, it's easier to concentrate on making eye contact. As a speaker, you must focus on your words, making proper eye contact a more difficult task.

3. Turn off all other thoughts. Don't think about what you want to say next. Stay grounded and present in what the other person is saying. If you do this often, better eye contact will come naturally.

4. Focus on the other person. Stay mindful and don't be distracted by others in the room or anything else. If you feel your eyes drifting, softly return them to the other person.

5. Rotate. Don't keep looking directly into the person's eyes, or it may send the wrong message. Notice their lips as they speak, look away at a point in the conversation when you're gathering your thoughts and then return your focus to the eyes. Make sure you blink regularly so that you don't give anyone the "zombie stare."