Squeeze those cheeks

‘In any negotiation, keeping nerves in check is key,’ says psychologist Meg Arroll. ‘A colleague shared this tip with me many years ago and I use it to this day. If you start to feel your heart racing and your hands trembling during a negotiation, clench your buttocks! You can use other muscle groups, such as your thighs or toes, but I find buttocks work best. Subtly tightening and releasing your muscles helps eliminate noticeable signs of anxiety, such as shaky hands, giving you a stronger negotiating position.’