Social anxiety and awkwardness

[raining_cloud]

I've been feeling particularly awkward today on many levels. I keep getting caught up in my head and stumbling over myself. Sometimes I just stop myself from doing anything, and when I have pushed through, I've not done very well because I get so caught up in my worries about being awkward

Comments

some ideas

[defygravity0915]

I guess the key to remember...and this might be the hardest thing too..is to remember that you have something to offer them just as they have something to offer you (in both instances). When talking to people online or in person, remember you are a great person with a lot to offer a friend, don't try to make it to lofty...just saying "hey" on a facebook chat is an awesome way to start a conversation. If they don't want to/can't chat in that moment they won't respond, but chances are if they are hanging out online a lot they aren't without time to make a new friend.

Also with the sales calls at work (I have to make cold calls for entertainment at work) this is more about an exhcange of services and not about how you relate the information. Nice people to death over the phone and being endlessly understanding are two things that I find useful. They need people to fill jobs, and you provide a service that can help them with that.

It sounds like your co-workers are really supportive about it, and THAT is awesome.

Re: some ideas

[raining_cloud]

Thank you Amy! That's the perfect combination of confidence-booster and advice that I really needed. You're awesome! :)

[bananaf1sh3]

Friends: Look for people that you have things in common with. Then talk to them and pay attention. For me, it's watching people walk their dogs around my apartment complex, and talking with them when I play with their dog. For you, I think it's hanging out at a local art museum and watching for people who are there by themselves as well.

Anytime you want to chat about anything, you're welcome to drop me an email. Bananaf1sh3@gmail.com

Staffing: I've now owned a business, managed a (very understaffed) retail desk, and been on the retail side of things. I've been terrified every step of the way. Here's the deal, though. You're selling an extremely useful commodity, and you need to think of yourself as giving somebody the opportunity to learn about your product. These people NEED you, and they deserve to know about your service so that they can make a qualified decision.

[raining_cloud]

That's a really good way of thinking about it with the sales calls. I've been feeling like a telemarketer, and have been expecting people to be like "No! Go away! Don't call me" (and some of them are). But a couple of people today were actually interested! That alone was a real confidence-booster, and it's really good to know that there are businesses out there who aren't using a staffing agency but who could really be helped by us. I think a lot of it is just turning my thinking from feeling bothersome to feeling helpful.

Thanks!