Public Speaking Information

Lessons in Love for the Shy at Heart


One of the biggest regrets of my life is that I was cursed with the shyness gene. Shyness is an often misunderstood condition that can leave the afflicted alone and miserable. As a victim of shyness, I completely understand the pitfalls. I also understand that there are levels of the condition that start at "painfully shy" or (as I think it is referred to nowadays) "social anxiety" to simply being "uncomfortable" at parties. More outgoing people tend to brush off shyness as something that is easy to get over. However those of us who suffer with it day after day realize that it would be comparable to asking an alcoholic to stop drinking. Doable, yes - but easy? Hardly! But whatever your comfort level, shyness does not have to be a life sentence of aloneness - there is still someone out there for you.

I have more than once longed for the days where parents were required to find mates for their children, fully realizing the downside of that prospect as well. But considering those days are long gone in our free society, it is time to look at the many other varied options available to the lovelorn today. Unfortunately most of us aren't lucky enough for love to just find us. In spite of this there are still those who fall in love with their available classmates, co-workers, or brothers/sisters of their best friends. Another "charmed" way is to have a good friend look through their personal Rolodex and pull out the name of that perfect person. I, for one, have never had a single friend with a connection to someone who would be right for me. I would even venture to say that life is just not that easy for the majority of us out there. Also for many people, not just the shy, bar and club hopping has just plain gotten old. And although it is still possible, placing a blind ad for love in a newspaper or magazine is a daunting proposition at best.

Some of the newer options include the Internet. Over the past few years, on-line dating has taken off in a way that no one could have predicted, emphasizing perhaps for the first time the amount of lonely people in the world today. As most people utilize these sites from the safety of their living rooms, the shy can wrap themselves in anonymity and easily make contact within their comfort zone. Unfortunately, there are often predators as well as those with a penchant for being less than truthful who occasionally respond on the other side of the screen. Still, this can be a method for making successful matches as long as great care is taken. Another method would be the off-line dating service although many of them tend to be over priced and equally anonymous. If shopping carefully, there are existing services with integrity, that work at individual comfort levels. There is also the possibility of reasonable pricing as well as background screening to increase safety.

One last recommendation from one who shares the shyness curse, is simply to find ways to expand your comfort zone. I did this initially by getting a job that forced me to interact with people. Shyness isn't synonymous with cowardice. Take a good look at yourself and decide what improvements are in your ability to make and make them. Meeting and dealing with people will always increase your chances of making a match yourself. If that is your goal, then it has to begin with you.

About The Author

Jennifer G. Smith owner and CEO of Let's Meet Here LLC is an acclaimed relationship guru.. She uses a holistic approach when bringing relationship-minded people together, conducting personal meetings with clients and establishing a trustful rapport among the many individuals who seek her wisdom. A native of Chicago, Jennifer is an accomplished thespian, where her introduction to the performing arts enabled her to overcome a childhood fear of public speaking. Jennifer's passion for entertainment also includes more than a decades worth of management-level responsibility for Universal Studios. "My lifelong involvement in art and commerce, which was inspired by a commitment to overcome my own shyness, is now part of a broader effort to bring people together through loving relationships," says Jennifer. "I want the people I advise to meet genuine and supportive individuals." An avid reader and volunteer, Jennifer is a graduate of Illinois State University. She lives in Los Angeles and can be contacted at: jgsmith@lets-meet-here.com or (818) 232-4148.


MORE RESOURCES:

10 tips for public speaking
Press News, OH - 4 hours ago
1. Know your material. Pick a topic you are interested in. Know more about it than you include in your speech. Use humor, personal stories and ...


Public speaking session planned
Fremont Tribune, NE - Oct 14, 2008
Darren LaCroix, who won Toastmasters’ World Champion of Public Speaking in 2001, will deliver a 90-minute educational session at 8:30 pm Thursday at ...


AME Info (press release)

Young leaders improve public speaking skills at the Dubai School ...
AME Info (press release), United Arab Emirates - Oct 12, 2008
The Dubai School of Government is holding a two-day interactive workshop on public speaking for young leaders from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Leadership ...


Toastmasters mark 60 years of camaraderie and public speaking
Canton Repository (subscription), OH - Oct 12, 2008
It's the challenge of public speaking, intellectual stimulation and camaraderie with a close group of friends. "It's my social out," the 84-year-old ...


Speaking no evil for Writing Center
Michigan Times (subscription), MI - 19 hours ago
But you would have never guessed that America's number one fear is public speaking, according to several scholarly surveys. But for students having issues ...


Toasting to public speaking
The George Washington University The GW Hatchet, DC - Oct 6, 2008
GW Toastmasters is a branch of the 84-year-old Toastmasters International Organization, which is dedicated to improving public speaking skills. ...


RC of Metro Roxas Central's impromptu public speaking contest ...
News Today Online, Philippines - Oct 6, 2008
By JOEL E. CAPUNDAN ROXAS CITY – Rotary Club of Metro Roxas Central sponsored the "Voice of the Youth: An impromptu public speaking contest in plain ...


Public speaking and that awful, sinking feeling
24 Hours Vancouver, Canada - Oct 6, 2008
By LAYNE CLARK I haven't gotten any sleep because all I can think about is a presentation I have to do on an article I don't understand. ...


Online voters fear critters
Weatherford Democrat, TX - 5 hours ago
Poll services report the top two phobias held by Americans are the fear of heights and the fear of public speaking, followed by death. ...


Leaf talk: Science project IDs leaves, helps with public speaking
Neosho Daily News, MO - Oct 2, 2008
Students also learned something about public speaking. By Wes Franklin It was a double shot of learning in one class at Neosho Middle School lately, ...

Public-Speaking - Google News

home | site map
© 2006