Tuesday, April 24, 2012

A to Z Challenge - Understanding Shyness

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!


Understanding Shyness

We offer many explanations for our shyness. Some people claim they are simply not the talkative or sociable type. Preference to follow rather than lead is often cited as an excuse. Others describe their bashful nature as a desire to remain out of the limelight and merely watch from the sidelines. Internally, many simply fear they will be disliked or hurt by other people. The reasons vary from one individual to the other.

But what is the real underlying cause? Despite all of these seemingly different excuses, shyness comes from only one thing- a problem with human relations. It is our inability and reluctance to reach out to other people that hold us prisoner.

Shyness is more than just a barrier to enjoying meaningful relationships. It is a wall that separates us from new concepts and experiences. When we cannot access people, we cannot access their ideas, either. It limits how far we can expand our world and confines us to only one way of thinking. In order to continue growing as a person, we must extend our horizons, and this means relating to other people.


13 comments:

blankenship.louise said...

Fortunately, we have the internet where people are constantly accessible and horizons keep expanding.

Trisha said...

Well, I've always been a shy person, but somehow I've wound up with an amazing bunch of friends and a great family. I don't have problems having good relationships, but I remain shy to this day!

It does hold me back from doing things I'd like to do, i.e. performing music live. But in my everyday life, my shyness is certainly not a crippling thing.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Trisha I was once extremely shy. Took a long time to overcome that.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

I was once shy but since getting up on stage with a friend playing a tambourine when I lived in Ireland (no it wasn't a Daniel concert) I am no longer shy, why? well we both play rather badly and had the audience in fits of laughter. strange but true.

Yvonne.

Tamara Narayan said...

Aww, what a great shot. So beautiful in black and white.

I've used all of the above excuses for my shyness, but if there is something I want in this world, I go after it, shyness be damned.

Anonymous said...

I was a bit shy and introverted as a kid. But I learned to just go for it, crash and burn sometimes, but learn and do better the next time.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I'm not naturally outgoing so this was something I had to work on.

Eric W. Trant said...

Try being on the roof in your underwear. That worked for me.

;)

- Eric

Jemi Fraser said...

I've always been shy too, but I've always managed to get/maintain those all important friendships. :)

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Most people won't believe it, but I was really shy as a child. Success in school boosted my confidence. I feel for people battling shyness.

Heather M. Gardner said...

OK. No pressure!
:X
Great post!
Heather

Anonymous said...

Great post!

Anonymous said...

I don't think I agree that it's a problem with human relations so much as it is fear of getting outside our comfort zones. I am a naturally shy, introverted person. This does not mean I have trouble relating to or interacting with people, but it does mean that I am reserved in new or unknown situations, with new or unknown people. It also means that being front & center, even among people with whom I have ongoing relationships, is a scary thing to do.