Everyone is interesting in their own right, but it’s okay to want to be the most interesting person in the room.
We are all interesting. We all have our unique interests, skills, and history, so don’t start thinking that you’re boring just because others are different from you. However, we all secretly want to spark interest in others.
There are a number of ways you can do this, but we have brought you eight science-backed ways to be a more interesting person to others.
1. Spend your downtime differently
Interesting people do more than just watching TV when they have some spare time, they actively try to better themselves all round. The lazier you look with the number of TV shows you can quote, the less interesting people will perceive you as.
You don’t want first impressions to be how much time you spend on your couch. Create a bucket list of things of new things you want to try and gain experiences people will enjoy hearing about.
2. Consume more interesting material
We live in a society of constant information streams. People like to talk about things they have seen, heard, or read. If you can’t engage with others in materials that they’ve consumed, you may appear lazy, uneducated, or apathetic. None of these things lead people to see you as interesting.
Try spending a few minutes a day catching up on the news, read a new book or find a podcast. The more you consume, the more you have to talk about. The more you have to talk about, the more interesting you are.
3. Add variety into your life
Try new restaurants, see new movies, take a class. The more variety you have in what you can talk about, the more interesting people will find you. Part of people find interesting is common ground. The more you do, the more likely you are to find common ground with new people.
Moreover, you may have done something they haven’t but always wanted to. Being able to give advice and share your experience will keep people’s attention and make you much more interesting.
4. Show real interest
Part of being an interesting person is the ability to show interest in others. The attention should not be on you all the time. Be genuinely attentive when you listen to other people speak. Even if you aren’t interested in the subject, giving them the attention they deserve will at least put you in a stronger position to respond.
Responsive discourse is the key to coming across as an interesting person.
5. Ask more focussed questions
Rather than just asking about the weather or what people do in their spare time, be more creative with your questions. Ask others what interests them about their work, what they think about things, what they are learning. Asking questions like this inspires a more captivating conversation because the other person feels genuine interest.
It also opens a comparative discourse between the group. Everyone has different opinions on things, learns in different ways, and it’s surprising how these things may converge. Being the person who opens up this kind of dialogue will instantly make you spark interest in others.
6. Develop new skills
Developing a new skill is something everyone should consider when wondering how to be an interesting person. New skills open new topics of conversation and discussions on how and why you are learning. This also makes you the go-to person when someone has an issue in a subject you are learning.
Learning a wide range of skills will also make you more interesting because it shows you have a diverse skill set and the ability to learn new things.
7. Learn how to tell a good story
Not only do you need to have interesting things to say, but you also need to be able to say them in an interesting way. You might have won a Nobel prize, but no one is going to be interested if you explain why in a monotonous tone.
Practicing comedic timing and the right intonation may feel silly, but it can really help in social situations to know what you want to say. Of course, this takes practice. Unless you are gifted with natural story-telling talent, it may take a while to get there, but it will be worth it
8. Have a life worth talking about
In a broader sense, interesting people have interesting lives. This isn’t to say that your life is boring, but there are ways to make it even more exciting. Trying new things, visiting new places and growing yourself as a person are sure ways to live your life to the fullest.
People show interest in situations they have no idea about. If you want to be more interesting to others, do things that most people wouldn’t normally do.
Whether you have a particular person in mind, or just want to make good first impressions, these tips will help you get there. Don’t forget that interest is highly subjective. What makes you interesting to one person might not make you interesting to another.
Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t please everyone. It is, after all, impossible.
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