TIPS FOR OVERCOMING SHYNESS

Tips for Overcoming Shyness
Some of us seem unable to shake that feeling of unease and even fear when it comes to interacting with others. Being shy can really handcuff you socially, and hold you back in many important aspects of your life, not to mention depriving those around you of the chance to get to know a fascinating person—you, that is!

But this is no reason to stay holed up at home. Getting over shyness isn’t as impossible as it may seem, when you’re standing in the corner at a party. Joining the fray, and learning to be yourself and interact with aplomb, is a realistic goal—one that anyone can achieve. All you need to do is keep a few rules of thumb in mind when you approach that next social event. These simple pointers can produce a real social transformation in your life:

1. The key is, quite simply, to recognize what exactly makes you shy. You can’t begin dealing with shyness until you properly diagnose just what it is about certain circumstances, or people, that causes you to bottle up. Maybe you tend to be a perfectionist, and place high demands on yourself. You’re terrified that your story won’t go over well, or your joke will fall flat. Analyze the sources of your problem, and then take practical steps to address it.

2. Make a serious effort to suppress your feelings of shyness. Take a long look in the mirror, and envision yourself as the person you know you can be, brimming with confidence, and full of calm. Then, envision real-life scenarios, and even act them out with a trusted acquaintance. Think of it as your social dress rehearsal. After just a little practice, you’ll be able to carry over the confidence you’ve developed into your interactions with total strangers.

3. Make a point of being actively interested in those you meet. Look at them attentively, and express a sincere curiosity about who they are and what they like to talk about. If you make a mental note of their personal interests, your next encounter with them will proceed even more naturally.

4. Compose a short list of subjects you can talk about with flair. Keep them mentally ready, and the next time you begin an informal chat, make some small talk about a topic you can discuss with wit and intelligence. It can be something very simple—perhaps an unusual friend’s misadventures, a pet’s antics, a unique pastime you enjoy, or even an item from the day’s news. What is it that makes you a unique person, with unique things to share? Remember that you have interesting things that other people will want to hear about; the only trick is identifying them.

Last but not least, why not try a little self-improvement? Maybe your feelings of shyness flow from the suspicion that your appearance isn’t what it could be. So, why not work on it a bit? Shake things up a bit with some workouts, some new clothes, or a new look. At the same time, don’t be too demanding on yourself. No one has to be perfect—not even you!

With these easy, realistic tips for overcoming shyness, you can take practical steps to reinvent yourself socially. Turn that upcoming event you’ve been dreading into your own stunning social debut!