By David Hamilton, Confidence Coach
When watching this video, it is best to turn off all other distractions,
relax and let your mind absorb the information.
Video #2: "5 Things I Did RIGHT to Master Social Anxiety and Shyness"
Video Time: 18 minutes
Here’s what I did RIGHT in lording over social anxiety and shyness! I know that if I can (and those I have worked with can), you can too.
Leave a comment or question after watching. Your voice matters.
Hi David, I’m loving all of the stuff I’ve read from you so far!
I believe I’m starting to be more proactive and building my awareness in mastering my social anxiety. Like you said in your last video (and what also resonated with me) was being the person to say “hi” first. I’ve felt like I’m trying a lot more to do that, and trying to talk about myself more in general and be open with others. The thing that holds me back seems to scare me a little- I have a speech/language impediment I’ve battled since grade school and many times it sounds like i have marbles in my mouth, no matter how slow I talk. Half of the responses I receive when talking to others are related to “What did you say?” “Say that again?” or the person just rolls with whatever they thought they heard. As I improve on my confidence in speaking, it doesn’t seem to help my language impediment. Any suggestions?
What worked the best for me was building more awareness. It might sound boring (it used to do for me!) but it seems that it was that which got me this far. Self-awareness, the more you have it, the further you will go. Thats what gets me up in the morning :D
Hello David,
Thanks for the great tips on overcoming social anxiety! One of the biggest challenges for me is facial sweating. When I first go into a social situation, my body heats up and the sweat starts to appear. While I know the only way to alleviate the symptom is to accept it, my panicky feelings take over. Do you have any personal experience with this or advice that has helped others. Thanks in advance!
Hi David,
Firstly I want to say I’m finding all your emails and videos so far so helpful so thank you!
I’ve struggled on and off with SA for as long as I can remember and it always seems that as soon as I start to feel like I’m becoming confident and like I’m overcoming my SA through a new technique I might have tried out or even something I’ve read I’ll feel great and begin to start interacting ‘normally’ with people for a few days or a couple of weeks then suddenly for no apparent reason I can see I’ll begin to retreat back into ‘my shell’ and back to my old habits and mindframe – so I guess my biggest challenge and question is how do I keep building my confidence consistently and gradually get over my SA once and for all, not just temporarily?
Ana
Hi David,
All great points, #4 especially! (and point #5) have been key.
Something you had alluded to in #4 — being aware has also meant actually forgiving myself for my past mistakes, screw ups, blunders, etc.
Not always easy due to the self-critical voice in my head, but very often I am my own worst critic, and also my best advocate.
On the subject of overcoming Social Anxiety…one key point on my mind that I want to ask you about (as best as I can express this right now)..ok, it’s one thing to be free of Social Anxiety, but then also how do I actually achieve and obtain what I want socially, relationships, career/finance wise, Confidence etc?
It is one thing to be free and overcome Anxiety — but I also refuse to settle for less than what I deserve.
Thanks for these helpful videos!
GT – great question here. That is a big one, and it is why I focus on stances that not only help resolve the anxiety, but help people create the life that they want – a more holistic approach. I will talk about that more in upcoming videos.