Do you struggle with shyness? There is an effective method to overcome it. By understanding its steps and implementing them, you can gradually become more outgoing.
As a communication coach, I often work with shy people and help them gain more social confidence. I have developed a three-step system for overcoming shyness that provides consistent results in practice. Here it is.
Step 1: Identify Limiting Beliefs
Almost every shy person I have ever worked with has some seriously limiting beliefs about themselves and others. They believe they come off as weird, that people secretly judge them or that they must always have the approval of others.
Of course, these are unrealistic beliefs they have internalized over time and sabotage their social life. These beliefs need to be changed and they can only be changed effectively if they are recognized.
Step 2: Change Your Thinking
Due to their limiting beliefs, shy people tend to think badly of themselves and always interpret events to their disadvantage. If, for example, somebody is not smiling too much while talking with them, they’ll quickly assume it’s their fault and that person doesn’t like them.
This is why it’s important to combat such negative and irrational thinking, and replace it with a more realistic and constructive type of thinking. The more you do so, the more your mind internalizes the new way of thinking and abandons the old one.
Step 3: Gradually Be More Sociable
A change in thinking is not enough. It’s essential to also push yourself gently out of your comfort zone and become more sociable: get out more, interact with people and talk more. As you do so, you improve your social skills and disprove your limiting beliefs, thus getting more social confidence.
Last but not least, keep in mind that this process takes time and practice. The more you stick to it, the better results you get in getting over your shyness.
Why Liking Yourself Matters
Psychologists often say that liking yourself is one of the most important things in life. And it is true. But for many individuals, it isn’t really clear why this is so. And it’s very useful for them to get clear on this.How Important Is a Good First Impression?
A lot of people wonder about the importance of the first impression. Understanding how much it really does matter is an excellent thing and can do wonders for your social success.What Makes a Person Charismatic?
Charisma is a hard trait to pin down. As a result, it’s even harder to identify what makes a person charismatic. However, it is possible and it is the key to mastering charisma.