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READY BODY LANGUGAE

A state of preparedness to carry out a planned sequence of actions, or to meet a situation. This is how the Business Dictionary defines readiness. The dictionary further says that this readiness is based on thorough planning and adequacy.

The above definition applies as much to business as it does to people. Specific to people, though, let us briefly define readiness.

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 Intro to Readiness

The universally accepted definition for readiness therefore, is preparedness. There are non-verbal cues that indicate that you are fully prepared for something. True ready behavior is the subject of the next section, to give you insights on what to look for.

 True Ready Behavior

There are various movements that indicate that you are ready for something, that you are poised for action. Some of the body movements in this significant cluster are:

• Pointing: You can use any part of your body to point in the direction of the thing you are thinking about, which can be another person, or an inanimate object like a door or a chair. It can be something as subtle as a finger or a foot, or it can be your entire body leaning. Your eyes may also flash repeatedly in the intended direction.
• Tension: Your body becomes tense showing readiness for action. If you are sitting, you could hold on to the armrests of the chair, ready to stand up. Your legs are tensed, in readiness to lift your body up. You grip things that are in your hand, with your focus away from everything accept the intended direction.
• Hooking: Your hands may hook clothing slightly, your thumbs hooked under your waistband for example. Your hands will not quite be in your pocket, indicating that you are relaxed, but ready for quick movement.
• Movement: All movement is in preparation for more or further movement. Your legs uncross, your hands grab your bags, and you straighten your clothing. Your entire body leans towards the intended direction.

Fake readiness is possible. You might not be very good at small talk for example. This could hold you back both personally and professionally. You might also not be particularly good with confrontation, which could also be quite restrictive to you socially.

Faking readiness in both these instances could help you.

How?

 Fake Ready Behavior

You can fake tension, when you are in an uncomfortable conversation. Simply holding on to the armrest of your chair, looking like you are ready to get up, gives the impression that you are ready to leave, or that you need to leave. This might motivate the other person to bring the conversation to an end quicker.

Grabbing your bags or uncrossing your legs has pretty much the same effect. Using these tricks can help you until you are more comfortable socially.

Let us look at a few short examples.

 Short Examples

Ben has just finished a hectic session at the gym. He is sweaty, tired, and he needs to get back to work. Ryan comes up to him in the locker room and starts a conversation about his weekend. While Ben usually listens to this regaling, he just doesn’t have the time. So he puts his thumb in the waistband of his shorts, almost like he is going to take them off.

This is a clear indication that he is about to take off the shorts, to prepare himself for the shower that he needs to take before rushing off to the office. Ryan picks up on this and suggests that they meet up for drinks later!

Another example is Ruth, in a store that sells home décor. She sees a lamp that she likes but she isn’t sure. Linda, a sales person comes up to her and gives her to pros and cons of this purchase, and suggests perhaps another lamp, based on the questions that she has been asking Ruth.

Ruth likes it, pointing in the direction of this new lamp, using non-verbal cues that let Linda know that she should pack it up because she is going to buy it.

Another readiness example is one that we have seen many times before. At the cinema, when people are choosing what film they are going to watch, the browse the posters. When they come to one that they think they will watch, one that they decide to watch, they point at the poster, picking out details to sell the film to themselves and to the other people in their party.

The reasons for readiness discussed below give further insight into this necessary body language.

 Conclusion

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There are various reasons for readiness. This include:

• Leaving: You may want to leave, possible for your next appointment. Or perhaps you are uncomfortable with the situation and you want to remove yourself.
• Readiness to buy: You may send readiness signals when you are ready to buy. You point at the objet you want to buy, or you ask for the contract that needs signing.
• Continuing the conversation: You might be ready to talk more. Readiness signals coming from the person you are talking to could be a sign that they want you to talk more, to say something.
• Readiness to fight: When you see a fight coming, you position yourself so that you can move quickly, to either attack or defend.

Decoding non-verbal cues is an important skill. This is because as we try to decode the cues being sent to us, others too are trying to decode ours. If you master decoding body language, you master the conversation, and you really gain mastery over your life.

This is because these non-verbal cues let other people know exactly what you are feeling, without words. And while this might not be easy to do, especially if you are not a particularly emotive person, you can really become better at it.

Ready body language is motivated by a number of things, some of these reasons highlighted above. Understanding readiness, therefore, will help you manipulate people and situations to your advantage.

That is a very handy trick to have!

References

Amy Morin, When to Fake It ‘Til You Make It, And When You Shouldn’t, (Jun 27, 2016)

Susan Krauss Whitbourne Ph.D., the Ultimate Guide to Body Language, (Jun 30, 2012)

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