IN THIS ISSUE:

Is Shyness Holding You Back?

Practically everyone has felt shy at one time or another. Whether it's walking into a party, or a business meeting, approaching a stranger to ask for directions, or placing a telephone call in response to a job announcement, most of us have felt inhibited in certain situations. Then there are those of us who experience feelings of shyness in most situations that involve dealing with other people.

According to the Encyclopedia of Mental Health, shyness is defined as discomfort and/or inhibition in interpersonal situations that interferes with pursuing one's interpersonal or professional goals. Shyness may vary from mild social awkwardness to totally inhibiting social phobia.

Causes of Shyness

Many scientists believe that shyness is a genetic predisposition caused by the wiring in our brains. This means that if our parents are shy, there’s a good chance we may be shy as well. Furthermore, shyness may be increasing due to technological advances that allow for fewer interpersonal interactions, such as ATMs, voice mail, and the Internet.

How Can Shyness Affect Your Career?

Researchers have found that those who are shy tend to begin their careers later than non-shy people. They are also more apt to refuse promotions. They also tend to choose careers that are less interpersonal. Once in a career, shy people have a harder time developing a career identity: an image of themselves as competent or successful within a career track.

How Can You Overcome Shyness?

Overcoming shyness doesn’t mean you have to start being obnoxious or talk at every opportunity that arises. The key is assertiveness, and knowing that you can and will express yourself to get your feeling and opinions heard.

You can overcome shyness with some simple steps. For starters, you can begin by inserting yourself into more social situations. Go out of your way to introduce yourself to others and offer up pieces of conversation when you feel you can add something interesting. You may need to practice and prepare before the social engagement, which is perfectly fine. Remember, the more you make a concentrated effort to interact with people, the easier it will be to get over your shyness.

If you consider yourself shy, you don’t have to let it to define you. By following the steps above, you can begin to overcome your shyness. However, if you feel extreme anxiety in social situations, and feel like you can’t cope, seek the help of a professional. There are several effective treatments that can help you. The key is to take some sort of action so that shyness doesn’t keep you from pursuing your personal and professional goals.

 

“Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared.”

—Eddie Rickenbacker