HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY!!!!!!:P I was planning to post a blog post saying I was leaving tv.com for good, but I decided not to because a lot of people were already leaving and I didn't want to worry you guys:P Not that any of you would miss me:P

1. Make a committment to address you problem. Admit that you need to take steps to overcome your shyness. Think hard about the fun you're missing by hiding all the time.
2. Think about when you are most shy and identify one of two things you can do differently in these situations. Take these steps when you have the opportunity, but do only one new thing each time. Small steps will actually get you there faster, and the steps will be easier to take once you get a little practice.
3. Smile. You can be cringing inside and wishing you were home under the covers. Smile anyway.
4. Try to show some interest in the people around you by making eye contact with them, even if you can't think of anything to say.
5. Pay attentiong to what everyone is saying, even if you don't have the courage to join in. Nod a lot.
6. Smile some more.
7. If you voice is shaky, take a short breath, smile, then speak. Your voice sounds shakier to you than it does to the listener.
8. Excuse yourself to go to the bathroom from time to time to dry your hands and to put some cold water on your face, on the back of your neck, and on your wrists.
9. If your hands are sweaty, before you shake someone's hand, casually slip your hand into your pocket to dry it off.
10. Relax. Try to laugh at your own mistakes and learn from them as well.
11. Use people's names when you talk to them.
12. If you're in a difficult conversation, it may not be a good time to take an adversarial position on anything. If you agree with what's being said, nod your head.
13. Have something to hold, like a glass of water or a snack. Girls, bring a purse even if you don't need one; guys, you can always carry a newspaper of a book. These are great security blankets.
14. Smile:D