What one piece of advice could you give to help someone overcome shyness?

Just say hi to people. If you give them that opening, most people will come up with something to talk about. If it is hard for you to think of things to say, then just be really good at listening to what other people say.

Most people like a good listener better than a talker anyway. If you can't even bring yourself to say hi to people, then make yourself smile at them. If you find yourself always hiding alone at home, make yourself get out more.

Go window shopping at the grocery store. Practice asking other shoppers which aisle the spices are on, or something similar. Stay long enogh after they answer to tell them thank you, and smile.

I overcame shyness. The only way to do it is just to do it. Make yourself interact with people.

Relax. Become in tune with the uncomfortable feeling you might get as you're about to strike a conversation. Understand that its ok for that feeling to be there, and once you embrace it, you can accept and overcome it.

Its ok for people to be awkward. Its normal and happens in life. The sooner people accept these things the better.

I suggest to have friends to encourage you and give you support. Have your friends introduce you to their friends so you won't be talking to complete strangers all by yourself at first. Your friends can also help when the situation is becoming awkward and give you a way out.

You might not need it, but you'll feel more secure at first when you have support from your friends. Do this only for first few times. When you are more confident, have your friends support you in the background while you try to say hi to people by yourself.

Next time, you can talk to people alone without your friends.

First you need to become comfortable with yourself. Once you find confidence, you'll be more likely to speak, and be outgoing. You have to know that what you have to say is important, and people will listen.

Then you have to do it. I overcame me own shyness by taking a public speaking course. Getting up in front of 30 or so people was so intimidating, but once you've done it, you're home free.

Find ways that you can become the "center of attention" and let your personality and intelligence shine.

Smile and say hello to everyone you meet. You'd be surprised of the reactions you'll get. Some won't say anything back.

Some will only say hello back. Some may even start up a conversation with you. And before you know it, people will be thinking YOU are the out-going one.

For me it was putting myself in positions that forced me to be assertive and interact with people.. though I'm more just a social recluse than a shy girl. I got a job that involved high public interaction. It made me comfortable in front of people which for a shy person would help tremendously.

Once you can handle it when you have to.. ie a job or obligation it makes it easier voluntarily.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.