How to overcome social anxiety.

Feelings of anxiety in a social situation can be crippling. We've all been in situations where we may feel less than adequate or socially on a different level than others. Try to keep in mind that probably everyone else (or at least a majority) has similar feelings. Socially we all want to put our best foot forward. Everybody has a need and genuine desire to be accepted and liked in society. Let's face it, if we are not met with feelings and actions of acceptance, our self esteem and social skills can be devastated and the effects devastating to our own feelings of adequacy.

Start by sizing up the room and the people in it. Remember they too are nervous. Next try and picture everyone in their underwear! May sound silly, but seeing these people in underwear immediately strips them of any dignity and thus they have no power over you socially. They are just as vulnerable as you are, only now you have on over on them because you see them as nobody else in the room can.

Now that you've got the upper hand remember most importantly - be yourself. People are going to like or dislike you based on exactly who you are. Phony fronts and put on personalities only stay afloat for a little while before it becomes too much work to keep the front up. Eventually, you'll know that people ultimately and genuinely like you for you and who you are, not what you might pretend to be.

Hang in there when thrown to the wolves, you too can come out a well liked respected individual. It all depends on how you handle yourself around others and what YOU believe are your best attributes. Others will surely see them too! Shine!