Success Happy

Can shy people be successful in life?

I often feel that to be successful in life personally and financially, one must be an out-going, personable person? Any opinions? I am a very shy person and have trouble speaking my opinion, answering questions in class, and joining in a conversation with someone.

Public Comments

1. Yes, they can, but only if they are lucky enough to have a very supportive social structure in their lives. If people continually brush you off because of your shy personality, it's going to be a hard run. Shyness is more and more becoming frowned upon as a personality trait in western society and becoming increasingly viewed as a "mental disorder". While I do think that some forms of shyness tend to go to the extreme, into the realm of phobia, I think society is unjustly biased against most shy but functional people in general. The reasons for this are complex, but the solution is always presented as being just to "take a pill" or "talk to a therapist". Little do many of the extroverts who run the show know that being shy is usually an essential personality trait and cannot be "cured".
2. in a sense... no but in a sense yes. MOST people may not be able to be shy and successful... but alot of people in history actually were shy but extremely successful, like edgar allen poe, or emily dickenson.
3. Yes, they can be. Some of the shyest people you will ever hear of are in show business. Keep building up your confidence, it will eventually go away. I was very shy when I was younger, not anymore.
4. Many famous people are/were painfully shy and managed to overcome it or be successful anyways....you just have to find your niche. Here's a list of them.... http://www.shakeyourshyness.com/shypeople.htm
5. Not only can they be sucsessful, but they probably will live longer, try getting in someone's face in this day and age and see what happens . . . I've been shy all my life, it may have kept me from some opportunities i'll admit but in hindsight i i propbably was better off with out them to begin with . . . It did pay off once and she still with me after 41 years of a beautiful marriage and still loving each other, hey, don't knock shyness, it can serve you well in the right situation . . . take care . . .
6. Don't worry about it, you'll break out of your shell in due time. Open up to others when you feel you're ready.