How Not To Be Shy Around People: 5 Easy Steps
By Michael Lee

Want to know how not to be shy around people? If you often feel self-conscious and awkward, find yourself saying all the wrong words (or shutting up entirely), and not being able to do or say what you want... then it's time you get your shyness out of the way. How? Just follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Understand Where Your Shyness Is Coming From.

Each one experiences shyness differently. Find out how it manifests in your life and what triggers it. When it happens, what are you concerned with?

Step 2: Turn Self-Consciousness To Self-Awareness.

The world is not looking at you all the time. Most people are like you, anyway, busy looking at themselves. Stop looking at yourself through the eyes of others. Focus your awareness inwards instead and work on your presence of mind.

Step 3: Find Your Strengths.

Surely, there is something you do quite well. Find out what you're good at and keep doing it. These strengths will not only help you accept your identity, these will teach you how not to be shy around people.

Knowing that you're good at something makes you feel good about yourself. Use it to your advantage!

Step 4: Appreciate Yourself.

Give yourself some credit. Being shy doesn't cancel out all your other good qualities. In fact, if you look deeper, you will see more beautiful things about yourself. And don't worry, it's okay to be different.

Learning how not to be shy around people first requires that you like yourself. When you become comfortable about yourself, you build your confidence as well.

Step 5: Keep Practicing Your Social Skills.

Just like any other skill, you can develop your social skills through practice. Take the bold step to introduce yourself in parties or meetings. Ask them and talk about their interests (hobbies, family, friends, career, goals, etc.).

It may be awkward and difficult at first, but with enough practice, it will be easier eventually.

It might also help if you visualize a certain scenario and practice what you might say or do ahead of time. Don't expect to see improvements right away.

When you experience mistakes and rejection along the way, don't be disheartened - they happen. Learn from them and just keep trying.

Learning how not to be shy around people, especially when you've been timid for so long, can really be challenging. The key to confidence is accepting and appreciating yourself. Keep putting yourself out there. Remember, the more you try, the easier it will be next time!