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Social Anxiety to Social Success
What is Social Anxiety?
It’s a phobia or fear of social situations. Sometimes people are worried they’ll be judged or criticised and humiliated in front of others. It’s more than being shy. It can happen when eating out, meeting people and feeling like you’re being constantly watched. It can occur in childhood or adulthood and seemingly appear out of nowhere, especially in times of undue stress.
The fear takes over, rational ideas and thoughts go out the window, and people tend to avoid social gatherings and situations that make them feel this way.
Down With Fear
I learnt this week about overcoming fear yet again. Here’s a brief note on how I kicked that sucker to the curb:
I very nearly missed out on my radio interview with Lynetta Renda from MOtivateMe because I let old fears crop in and take over.
Yes, I had a good excuse, my mum had terminal cancer. In fact, that was bringing everything I ever hid down deep, up and out. But I used every reason except that one because I knew I was self-protecting and deep down that this FEAR wasn’t real.
Beating Procrastination
Have you ever:
• Decided to do something and then did every other task you can possibly imagine first?
• Had a deadline and then done everything humanly possible to delay it until the very last minute?
• Felt like there is never enough time/money/energy/correct weather/right outfit so that you can go out and get what you want in life?
If you answered yes or maybe to any of these, then you are a procrastinator.
Curing Perfectionism
The word PERFECT rolls easily off the tongue. It’s a word we use daily to describe things like storms, pictures and even tv shows like “The Perfect Match”. Perfect makes us feel good and is high praise when we receive it from others. We especially love it when those we look up to in life; people like our coaches, parents, teachers or heroes, speak about our perfection.
Being told we are perfect boosts our morale and makes us feel god-like. Unfortunately, it’s a fleeting feeling but that doesn’t stop we mere mortals from continuing to seek the blissful praise associated with being perfect.
Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. You’ve probably heard someone you know talk about feeling nervous or anxious before a big event like a job interview, exam or important social function. It’s normal to feel this way and the Anxiety usually disappears at some time during or after the event.
However, some people don’t lose this sense of foreboding. It stubbornly sticks around like a bad smell. These people are like you and I and we suffer with Anxiety as a condition. Anxiety can be triggered by ordinary events like picking a child up from day-care or meeting friends for dinner. It comes in many forms and severity levels.
