Here are some excellent steps for overcoming shyness and building self-confidence.

1. Strike up a conversation with someone every chance you get. This does not have to be a big, long winded conversation. It can be a conversation with anyone you come into contact with: while waiting in line, while buying groceries, etc.

Making a friendly, brief conversation with a store cashier as you are being rung up is great for starters. This is a brief, nonthreatening situation, and you will know that you do not have to sustain the conversation for very long, making it a very low pressure situation as well. Just make it short if there are other people waiting behind you.

2. Work on your eye contact. This is important for overcoming shyness and building self-confidence. Eye contact is extremely important in making a good impression. It displays self-confidence and friendliness.

How much eye contact should you make? It depends on the situation. If the person you're talking to is behind the wheel of a car or otherwise occupied, the situation will obviously be quite different then if you and your conversational partner are face to face. A general rule of thumb is 80% to 90% eye contact. This is one of the most important rules for overcoming shyness and building self-confidence.

3. Develop the skill of remembering people's names quickly and easily. Many people have trouble with this, but not only does cultivating this skill build up your self-confidence, but it is one of the most important keys to making people like you.

4. Remember that overcoming shyness and building self-confidence will take time. It is called "building" for a reason. It has to be done step-by-step. There are various mental tricks for building your self-confidence, such as picturing the person you're talking to in his underwear, but in the long run, self confidence has to be built up like a house: brick by brick, step-by-step, one successful experience after another.

Visit the Internet Shyness FAQ at Shy FAQ for more answers about shyness and building self-confidence, and also obtain a FREE ebook, How to Remember People's Names; the Master Key to Success and Popularity. Tim Arends also offers his complete overcoming shyness system at Shy Facts http://www.shyfacts.com/. This article may be republished in any newsletter, ezine or website, provided this message is included.