Tips for Overcoming Shyness
Shyness is not just a personality type or quirk; it’s not the same as being an introvert, although introverts may or may not be shy. While not everyone is a social butterfly – and we can’t expect everyone to act the same way – shyness can really become a problem. It is about more than just being unable to open up at social gatherings; being excessively shy can be detrimental to one’s interpersonal relationships and career goals.
Overcoming shyness is not likely to happen overnight. But there are some tricks and suggestions out there that can help. Here are some.
Body Posture
Have you ever heard the phrase, “fake it ’til you make it”? There’s something to that, experts say, and one of the ways this principle manifests is through assumed body posture. Here are some hints as to what body postures exude confidence.
* Standing straight and tall with your head up sends a message of self-confidence. It is the basic body posture of people with high self-esteem and a good self-image.
* Look up when you walk into a room, and look at people’s faces. Don’t look down at the floor or at your feet.
* Let your hands loose. If you hold your arms and hands close to your body or, worse, up around your chest or belly, you’re showing a lack of confidence. Let your arms hang comfortably, or carry a drink around so you can have something to do with your hands.
The good thing about this is that, when you act confident, people treat you differently. This, in turn, helps you come out of your shell even more.
You’re Not the Only Shy One
Remember, you’re not the only one reading these tips, or searching the internet for advice on how to overcome shyness. Those people around you who seem so confident – people who you never think you can be like or measure up to – may actually be going through the motions of confidence just like you are. Just knowing this can help!
You Really Are Pretty Cool
No one is perfect, of course, and no one has it all – but everyone excels at something. Discover your unique gifts and take confidence in them. Maybe you are the one people tell secrets to, because you’re trustworthy; maybe you make people feel at ease and included; maybe you write, draw, or do higher math very well. Find out what’s uniquely yours and own it!
Force Yourself to Stick It Out
Sometimes, shy people feel so terribly uncomfortable in a given situation that they just want to leave as soon as possible and go home. Try this: force yourself to stay ten more minutes, and in that ten minutes, strike up a conversation with someone. It’s very possible that the original ten minutes will be long gone before you realize it.