Shyness is simply a human difference, a variation that can be a form of richness. - Marco Battaglia
I used to dream of strutting into crowds and charming people with witty one-liners. And to some extent, I still do. In fact, it’s a common dream of many silent and forgotten shy people who dream of the glories of limelight. Who dream of the euphoria’s of a slackened tongue and loosened nerves. Frequently however, they find themselves the mute outsiders. The social fringe dwellers. Those strange people with the downcast eyes, nervous mouths, and hunched shoulders. Shyness is seen as an affliction. And certainly it makes social situations more difficult, even excruciatingly painful in my experience. But shyness, a cognitive difference that occurs to 30% of people, isn’t a plague. For me in fact, it was and still is a miracle. And I’m going to show you why.
7 Reasons Why Shyness is a Miracle
From Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandela, to Mahatma Ghandi and T.S. Eliot, shyness has built many great people. Using the basic principles of NLP or Neuro-Linguistic Programming, I’m going to show you the flip side of shyness. The side our minds have been taught and programmed to block out.
1# More Insightful
Being shy allows you to understand people in a deeper way. Many shy people soon learn to become pro’s at people watching, or the observation of human behavior in social settings. This allows them to gain greater insight into the behavior, motivations, masks and minds of those around them. This enhanced ability to become insightful only comes with silence and reflection – the very skill shy people possess.
2# More Attentive
One benefit of being shy is the development of listening skills. Sure, shy people may not be the self involved chatterboxes of the party, but they are something vastly more beneficial. Their shy silence allows them to open their ears. To be attentive. To be keen listeners. This is a life skill that comes easily and naturally to shy people. Furthermore, those that are heard and payed careful and silent attention feel a sense of acceptance. Shy people help others feel appreciated and happy they are heard.
3# More Thoughtful
Shy people are less reactive then the many extroverted socialites around them. Their cautiousness in social situations allows them to not only develop 
thoughtfulness, but critical thinking as well. Coupled with their excellent listening skills, shy people can have a vast and rich internal world. Most importantly, shy people think before speaking, avoiding a lot of hurt, misunderstanding and unfortunate social faux pas. Because shy people fearfully avoid social mishaps, they become more mindful of their words. They are therefore appreciated as being polite and considerate by other people. This in turn makes the shy person more likable and appealing in the eyes of others.
4# More Approachable
Shy people have a wonderful advantage in appearing non-threatening to others. Their social reserve and timid appearance reduces their chances of aggressive confrontation in social situations. Unlike their obnoxiously loud-mouthed, and unapproachable counterparts, shy people are more likable. Consequently, their likability can result in a lot more positive social encounters compared with other non-shy people.
5# More Appealing
An air of mystery surrounds many shy people. Because they are quiet and guarded, the mysteriousness of shy people can become an attractive quality. This can be beneficial for those seeking romantic partnerships. Shyness can serve as a hook that reels people in. After all, many people love the challenge of decoding, deciphering and breaking through the walls of mysteries. Shy people also possess the appealing quality of quietness. In the midst of chaotic situations, shy people can provide the calming and grounding effects needed to anchor others.
6# More Independent
Shy people quickly learn to rely on themselves. Gone is the need for what Susan Cain, the popular author of “Quiet”, terms groupthink. Shyness naturally results in autonomy, independence, and self reliance. This is a great skill, allowing the shy person to function without the prerequisite need for other people. Therefore, shy people rarely become needy burdens to others, but learn to evaluate and motivate themselves, by themselves.
7# More Fulfilling
Consider this thought: without the color black, there would be no contrast to white. Similarly, if there were no “bads”, then there would be no opposite to good. Everything would always be good, and good would be the eternal static norm. We couldn’t appreciate good without bad. There wouldn’t even be a concept of good without the concept of bad. Shyness is only a contrast to sociableness. It is the black to the white. Shyness provides an opportunity for personal fulfillment. It provides a challenge to overcome, and an obstacle to surpass. Life is very dull and unfulfilling without challenges. Shyness is a form of richness that opens the possibility to experience true success and joy. For instance, consider the average social situation – they are taken for granted by many. But by challenging and eventually overcoming shyness, these situations can be fully appreciated. They can become symbols of accomplishment.
Shyness can become a miracle when traditional ideas are challenged. With shyness comes attentiveness, independence, thoughtfulness, insightfulness, and approachability. In many cases social reserve is a benefit, causing the shy person to become more appealing as well as opening a door to greater fulfillment.
Do you have any stories about being shy? Please share them below.
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