The Art of Conversation: How to Talk to Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime, and Overcome Shyness and Social Anxiety

There’s a whole world of adventure and possibilities waiting for you once you are over being shy in social situations If you go through discomfort and possibly feel fear – from little to extreme – whenever you find yourself in a new situation or when amongst strangers, then it is safe to say you’re a shy individual. Don’t fret! Being shy is not unique to you. Studies have shown that 4 in 10 people consider themselves shy, to different degrees in different social situations. Unsure if you’re shy or not? Here are some commons actions or feelings by shy individuals: You are usually distant or zone out during conversations You are used to internalizing your problems – instead of expressing your opposing/counter views or your distaste for one’s actions/words towards you, you bottle it all up. Fear of adverse reactions and criticisms to your words or actions – humiliations, patronising, rejections or being laughed at in social situations. You dread/avoid being in social gatherings that require socialisation with others. You rarely make new friends, and probably have a hard time keeping up with the ones you’ve already gained. You have difficulty keeping up with the small talk, you’re camera-shy, you undergo physical discomfort – discomfort ranges from blushing and sweaty palms to panic attacks and the immediate urge to use the loo. Humans are social animals and the currency for that is communication. Whether shy or not, a lot of people have communication challenges. This hinders your growth, development, ability to make/keep friends, and ultimately limits your potential in your given field. Regardless of your talent, poor communication is powerful enough to hinder your career development, ability to gain employment or keep employment. We look forward to having a comfortable life, a great career, great friends, interesting colleagues and business partners, a beautiful/handsome and talented spouse or partner, and a happy home. In addition to having the talent, skill, education, and discipline to take on life’s challenges, you need the ability to communicate with anyone at will. To the new adventures and endless possibilities, you are about to go on. Whether you are a shy person (or not) and struggle at having conversations (small talk or long ones), then you should consider reading this book. Jim Alexander shares practical steps you can use to approach anyone and start conversations without experiencing the fear and discomfort that you currently experience when socialising.