Overcome shyness — if I had room on my car for another bumper sticker, that’s what it would say. I’ve struggled with shyness for years, but now that I’m in my late 30s, it’s better — I’m almost assertive! While I still struggle with a little timidity on occasion, I think I’ve really overcome shyness. If you’re still struggling with it, keep reading! Here are 9 easy ways I’ve found to overcome my own shyness.

1. Focus on the positive

Most of us who have to work to overcome shyness also have a poor or warped self-image. While that’s a whole separate issue to deal with later, it helps to find two or three things that do make you self-confident — your smile, your wit, your knowledge of obscure 17th century literary works — and focus on those in social situations, rather than agonizing over the things you’re not so secure about.