Is Shyness or Social Anxiety Affecting Your Career?

It is a fact that most people have felt shy at one time or another but not everyone who appears to be shy can be identified as having any social problems. For instance, some people are naturally quieter than others and prefer to get on with small groups of people. While some are only shy in certain situations they feel uncomfortable with, such as meeting people for the first time, there are others who feel shy more often. It is a sort of irrational fear that makes people want to avoid what is making them feel anxious or nervous. Although shy people know there is no logic in behaving the way they do, they can’t seem to prevent it, all the same. For shy or socially anxious people, it makes no difference, since they can’t help being nervous or behaving that way.

Fortunately, shyness is now being recognised as a real social problem and there is considerable research being conducted toward trying to find solutions to help shy people. It is thought that one of the best ways to handle shyness is through self-acceptance and by trying to focus on the positive aspects of introversion and building upon these positive characteristics.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being shy. There are many outstanding qualities to be found in many shy people, although their condition tends to make them withdraw into a private world of their own and because they do not socialize much with other people, they sometimes do not notice many of the things happening around them. Their lack of interaction and socialization also makes it difficult for them to adapt to suit certain types of careers, which can inevitably lead to them choosing careers that are well below their natural talents and capabilities. In more extreme situations it can also lead to unemployment.

Obviously, some occupations are more suited to shy people than others but what are they?

There are plenty of books and other resources available on the subject of careers.
Nevertheless, not many books are written specifically from the perspective of shy or socially anxious people and they tend not to take into account the social issues that confront shy people on a daily basis.

Some time ago, I was faced with a similar difficulty and could no longer stick the job I had been doing for so long. Eventually I decided that I would make it my job to research a more suitable career to suit my personality. I realized that I had always had an interest in the Arts and Humanities and decided to complete a Bachelor's degree through distance learning education, in order to fulfill an ambition to become a writer.

Article written by Andrea Scott, author of 'Successful Careers for Shy People', which is being published at: http://www.homeworkinguk.com/shy.html You can download a FREE excerpt from her e-book.