This report includes nine powerful tips and three actionable steps you can take right away. It also includes a list of suggested reading for those who are looking for even more information.
This article is from a Series
of 52 tips Report on the subject of self improvement. If you want to
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TOP TIPS
You
might not like to admit it, but you have likely been lied to hundreds of times
in your life. For the most part, these lies are usually small, inconsequential
comments that don't have much of an impact on your life. However, sometimes
these lies hurt or seriously mislead us. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to spot
a lie before it affected your life? Below are nine ways that you can stop a lie
before it negatively impacts your life.
1. They Have a History of
Dishonesty
If
you think someone is lying to you, the first thing you should consider is your
history with them. Have they lied to you before? Are they typically dishonest?
This might not identify them as a liar outright, but it is a red flag to consider.
2. Establish a Baseline
One
of the biggest indicators someone is lying is when they start acting
differently than usual. For example, research shows that lack of eye contact on
its own isn't an indicator of deceit, but if the person normally meets your
gaze, then it may be. Watch for out-of-character actions.
3. They Use Hand Gestures
After They Speak
Many
of us use hand gestures as we talk or before we talk, but professionals have
noticed that liars tend to make their hand gestures after they have spoken. It
is almost as if keeping up with the lie in their head slows down their hand
gestures.
4. They are Rocking Back and
If
you find that someone is fidgeting back and forth a lot, then they may be
lying. Keep in mind there are plenty of reasons a person may be fidgety,
including medical issues and shyness. However, if the fidgetiness is out of
character, that's a red flag.
5. They Are Overly Vague
A
sign someone might be dishonest is if the story they are feeding you is super
vague and avoiding any kind of detail. They might be glossing over important
details or ignoring others altogether. This vagueness is certainly something to
keep an eye out for.
6. They Repeat Questions
Before Answering Them
This
is a classic technique for a liar to buy some more time before they answer. You
have likely dealt with this before. Have you ever been part of a conversation
like: "Where were you last night?" "Where was I last
night?" That last question is likely someone trying to buy some time to
think about an answer.
7. What Does Their Smile Say?
A
fake smile is often a good indication that someone is lying to you. If they are
faking the smile, what else are they dishonest about? A good way to spot a fake
smile is if the lips are smiling, but it doesn't reach the rest of their face.
A genuine smile reaches a person's eyes and brows.
8. Ask Them a Lot of Questions
Remember
we mentioned that liar's stories are often vague? This is because they don't
want to keep track of the details. Don't give them a chance. If you think
someone is lying to you, ask them questions, and keep asking them. You are
likely to catch them red-handed when they get tripped up and forget one of
their details.
9. Are They Speaking in a
Higher-Pitched Voice?
One
potential sign someone is lying is if their voice is higher-pitched than usual.
This is easier to notice in someone you already know. If you know they don't
usually talk in a high-pitched voice but are all of a sudden; then you might be
listening to a liar.
ACTIONABLE STEPS
a) Reflect
on if there are any situations in your life where someone might be lying to
you. Don't worry about small lies. Try to think about something more serious.
b) Once
you have chosen the potential lie, write down reasons it may be a lie. Then
consider some reasons why it might not be a lie. Consider each side carefully.
c) After
this, if you feel confident you are being lied to, confront the person.
Remember to keep the above nine tips in mind when you do so.
FURTHER
Affiliate links:
1. Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life
https://amzn.to/3QtuaKx
2. How To Read People And Spot A Liar
https://amzn.to/3aXBY6S
3. How to Spot a Liar, Revised Edition
https://amzn.to/3xBdHez
4. 100 Ingenious Ways To Detect Lies
https://amzn.to/3N31ogW
5. The Secrets of Body Language
https://amzn.to/3N29hD9