Shyness is hard for me to over-come. I feel a lot of pressure to conform to expectations of me when I meet new people. It doesn't help that I think I'm weird an

Shyness is hard for me to over-come. I feel a lot of pressure to conform to expectations of me when I meet new people. It doesn't help that I think I'm weird and so very different than everyone else. I might say something stupid or strange and no one would want to talk to me. Often I just don't even bother going out. I'm that shy. Here's what I've learned from meeting lots of smart people over the years: Just be yourself. It's simple advice I know, but here's where it hits home: nobody can fault you for learning. If you try and act really smart and knowledgeable but someone catches you faking -- that's bad. But if you're just honest about what you do know then people will trust you and want to help you. It's a big hurdle and not one I always make successfully; but I know it's always worth a shot. You just have to get out there and try it.