3 Scary Things All Introverts Must Overcome to Be Successful

Whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, or something in between, there are skills in life you’ve mastered. But there are other parts of daily living that you struggle with, too.

Introverts often sit in the background, watching their social butterfly counterparts. They envy the ease with which extroverts flit from person to person engaging in random conversations.

To many introverted people, the art of social networking is a scary field in which they tentatively tiptoe around. Jumping in could be dangerous, and they don’t know how to do it, anyway.

But if you are an introvert who wants to improve your professional life, there are some fears you have to face.

No, you can still run away from clowns, snakes, and any other non-work-related fears you have. But here are three scary things that you must overcome in order to be successful.

It’s possible. You can do it. Take a deep breath and jump into these tips.

1. Your Own Insecurities

First of all, there is nothing wrong with you just because you prefer to avoid social interactions. That’s the first thing you have to come to terms with. A personality makeover isn’t going to help without self-esteem.

If you’re one of the many introverts who look at extroverts and feel lacking, you must get past that. Everyone has their own issues. No matter how put-together someone seems, they’re fighting battles too.

And most extroverts — if they are honest — will tell you that they are uncomfortable in social situations. They just push through their fear of rejection and embarrassment and do what needs to be done.

Take a minute to ask yourself how badly you judge someone else. If they make a basic mistake, do you hold it against them forever? Or do you give them the benefit of being a fallible human and move on?

You probably don’t even think twice about it, and they are the same way with you.

Eventually, you’ll realize that your own insecurities are magnified through your eyes. Others don’t see your flaws the way you see them. When you understand this, you’ll be able to handle new situations better.

2. Asking for Help

This meme perfectly illustrates how some introverts think about asking for favors:

“Hey, could you help me with this thing? Absolutely no pressure though. Totally OK if you can’t. If you’d rather run me over with a car, that’s cool. Are you mad at me?” 

It sounds funny, but to many introverts, that’s exactly how it feels to ask for help.

It can be scary to ask for help, but you must put it in perspective. What’s the worst that can happen? Someone says no?

And then what happens? You ask someone else or do it yourself. Either way, the world doesn’t stop spinning.

You’re worried about rejection, and you’re worried about putting the other person out. But most people are happy to help. Human beings feel good when they help others. It gives us an endorphin boost.

By being too afraid to ask, you’re depriving others of the chance to step up to the task and feel good about themselves.

Getting help is a part of life. You probably don’t mind being the helper. So what is it about asking for help that makes you so terrified?

Stop apologizing and do what it takes to get the job done, even if it means getting assistance. That’s what is going to make you successful.

Related: Your Full Guide to Moving Out for the First Time

3. Selling Yourself Short

Everyone has a skill that they are great at, especially introverts. While extroverts often look like they have it all together, they tend to spread themselves thin.

Introverts, by nature, enjoy a few things deeply rather than many things topically.

However, even when you have an amazing idea, your initial reaction may be to minimize it.

Don’t reduce your talents just to stay under the radar. You offer as much as anyone else does. Selling yourself short prevents you from succeeding, but it also keeps your unique abilities hidden from the world.

Everyone has to start somewhere, even introverts. In fact, here are a few famous geniuses who were — believe it or not — extreme introverts:

The list goes on and on, proving that you don’t have to be an extrovert to accomplish great things.

Why are you hiding those skills that could benefit the world?

Conclusion

If being an introvert has kept you from moving ahead and accomplishing your goals, it’s time to change things.

There are plenty of traits that you have innately. You don’t have to change them. Your compassion, empathy, and zest for knowledge are valuable traits that you should retain.

What has to change, though, is your confidence and ability to put yourself in the spotlight.

Stepping into the public eye, even if it’s just a few coworkers, can be scary. But if it was easy to be successful, everyone would do it. And success wouldn’t be such a big deal anymore.