I used to be painfully shy too, but i started to get much better when i realised that were many other people who had the same problem.
Some things i have learned that sometimes it can come down to self-esteem, so if you solve that problem you've got most of it covered. I dont know if you are male or female, but there is video series on youtube by David DeAngelo (its a little crude) caled "On being a man", its worth watching. Just as a "gaining insight" exercise. I wouldnt take the whole thing literally, but it helps.
Other than that, i agree with the other commenter that the more you do something the better you get it. Start with the slightly easier things first and then start pushing yourself further.
Also, get a pen and paper and for each thing that painfully frightens you list down a few reasons as to why it frightens you, i.e. worst case scenario, and then list why the worst case scenario itself frightens you and keep extrapolating that back as much as you can. that REALLY helps (hope it makes sense, email or skype me if you want to know more). (khuram@xs-pro.co.uk) skype: krmmalik
and lastly there's a book called "Feel the fear and do it anyway" by Susan Jeffers. Its worth reading.
(sorry for the information overload, just take one thing at a time)
Some things i have learned that sometimes it can come down to self-esteem, so if you solve that problem you've got most of it covered. I dont know if you are male or female, but there is video series on youtube by David DeAngelo (its a little crude) caled "On being a man", its worth watching. Just as a "gaining insight" exercise. I wouldnt take the whole thing literally, but it helps.
Other than that, i agree with the other commenter that the more you do something the better you get it. Start with the slightly easier things first and then start pushing yourself further.
Also, get a pen and paper and for each thing that painfully frightens you list down a few reasons as to why it frightens you, i.e. worst case scenario, and then list why the worst case scenario itself frightens you and keep extrapolating that back as much as you can. that REALLY helps (hope it makes sense, email or skype me if you want to know more). (khuram@xs-pro.co.uk) skype: krmmalik
and lastly there's a book called "Feel the fear and do it anyway" by Susan Jeffers. Its worth reading.
(sorry for the information overload, just take one thing at a time)