More on Shyness

On pages 182 and 183 of Shyness: What It Is/What to Do About It, Philip G. Zimbardo lists out a number of reach-out exercises designed to help shy people get used to socializing. In reviewing the list, many of the items seemed equally relevant to anyone wanting to do more networking, whether they're shy or not.

• Introduce yourself to a new person in your office building, the grocery store, (Starbucks?) etc.
  
• Invite someone who is going your way to walk with you.
  
• Conduct a personal opinion survey. Ask ten people their opinions on a current topic. Ask one question about their opinions.
  
• Call someone you know at work and ask about a relevant work issue.
  
• Ask three people for directions. Shift at least one of them into general conversation for a minute or two.
  
• Notice someone who needs help at the office or on the street at lunchtime and offer to help.
  
• Invite someone to go eat with you - someone you have not eaten with before.
  
• Say 'Hi' to five new people today whom you would not usually greet.

I invite you to experiment by trying some of these reach-out exercises and see what happens. You might be very pleasantly surprised.