Success And Shyness

Also: Overcoming Shyness, Love Shyness, Dealing With Shy People

Is the world of success confined only to people who are extroverts? Absolutely not. In fact, the most extroverted people are often at risk through being so unaware of what is really going on with the people around them. If they are extrovert and egotistical, they will not be listening, unless someone is praising them and feeding their ego. So, they may have a soft underbelly in terms of achievement, simply because their ability to acquire knowledge, especially about other people, is limited. Overcoming shyness is actually easier to overcome than being extrovert with an inflated, and misguided, ego.

Shy people, on the other hand, may quietly take in an enormous amount from simple observation that is beyond the perception of an extrovert who is obsessed with their own ego. Ideally, of course, a successful person and leader should be capable of being extrovert or introvert, depending on the circumstances and the need of the moment. A powerful extrovert who knows when to listen and when to delegate, and how to learn from the quieter people around him, is best geared to be a success in whatever he chooses. Throw in some modesty, and there you could have a great person who needs to prove nothing, because he will naturally attract and generate success.

A shy person can still be a big success in their chosen field, though, and may easily outstrip the extrovert in some.

If You Are Introverted And Shy, Dare Your Way To Success

It is true that shyness can be something of a drawback socially for those who suffer from it acutely. I mean real shyness, not somebody who is simply quiet. Because somebody is fairly quiet in your company when you meet them, does not mean they are shy. They could be, but on the other hand they may just be observing because they are unsure of you or others in your company. They may be capable of being extrovert and sociable, but on this particular occasion, are quiet.

I know this from my own experience, because I can be both introvert and quiet, or if the occasion demands, silly, extrovert and outgoing. In my case, because I like people, nature and other things around me, I like to observe and learn. But I certainly did not become a project manager long ago because I was shy; I did not organise social and sporting events because I was shy; and I did not approach beautiful girls because I was shy.

Yet, on some occasions when I have met people, they have jumped to the conclusion that I'm shy simply because I was in a quiet mood. They were wrong; but they could have been right.

One thing I have learnt from those experiences is that those who observe and listen more and talk less, can gain a position of strength. This means that even a genuinely shy person, the type who blushes easily and is reluctant to talk in company, especially new company, can become a strong person, in just about anything they choose. Remember, knowledge is power, and a shy introvert is in a better position to acquire knowledge than an extrovert.

It is widely accepted that timid people know a great deal about human character in general, although they normally may not dare to get in contact with that many themselves. Even if these painfully shy people had little social life, most of them grew up as great human resources managers or psychologists, simply because they could analyze others better than a self opinionated extrovert. Also they can tend to choose careers that require a lot of PR work, just because they have a need to prove to themselves that they can do it.

Introverted people can give great attention to learning, and as good listeners they can take in an enormous amount from others. Over time, people can come to respect them far more than the extrovert who blasts out nothing but hot air, and usually about themselves.

What does it take, then for a very shy person to be that successful person they always wanted to be. They may only need one more ingredient to push them on their way. They need to dare themselves to take the leap; and when they do, they will probably find all the knowledge they have acquired over the years, will come to the fore and help them on their way to the top in their chosen field.

See Also: Overcoming Shyness