Jay Shetty

Dr. Scott Beach and Dr. Richard Moreland at the University of Pittsburgh ran a study where they had research assistants attend a large university class.

Some attended zero times.

Some attended five times.

Some attended 10 times.

Some attended 15.

The assistants never spoke to anyone, never interacted, just showed up and sat there.

At the end of the semester, students were shown photos and asked to rate these people on attractiveness, likability, and similarity to themselves.

The assistants who had attended more classes were rated as significantly more likable and attractive without ever having spoken a word.

This is called the mere exposure effect.

Your brain equates familiarity with safety.

The more you see someone, the more your nervous system categorizes them as non-threatening, and the more positively you feel about them.

So what does this mean practically?

Stop hiding in the corner of the room.

Stop positioning yourself at the edges, right?

You're standing there hoping that maybe one person passes and talks to you.

Someone might have to see you seven times before you spark up a conversation.

Place yourself in the flow path, near the entrance, near the drinks, near the place where people naturally congregate or pass through.

You don't need to approach anyone.

Just be visible.

Smile.