You’re thinking too far ahead my friend. You know what happens when you think too far ahead? Nothing. You get paralyzed. It’s the same thing that happens when you have a big project to do, but for some reason you can’t get yourself to start. You psyche yourself out before you even take the first step... Don’t over…

Try looking at it from the opposite end of the spectrum—think about the last time a stranger started a conversation with you, were you weirded out or annoyed? Probably not. You were probably pleasantly surprised.

I try this pretty often, but it’s always so painful. I’ve always had this thing in the back of my mind that no one likes me or wants to talk to me, yet, every time I engage with someone, it’s never as bad as I expect it to be. I figure as long as I can make someone smile - even at my expense - it’s a good step.

Thanks for the article. I was wondering how to practice my social skills without having to pay for it like in a classroom. I clicked on the link to continue reading and to try to get more tips. My fear of what comes after the initial introductions often stops me from even saying hello. Also, standing there furiously…

Right, but the idea is to be able to recognize when you are in a low stake environment. It requires that you take a step back and see the situation for what it is. And when you do that, then you realize that you have nothing to lose.

The problem with social anxiety is that the stakes always seem high, even when to anybody else it’s obvious they aren’t.

I first discovered Ryan's work a few months ago through a post on Tim Ferris's blog called "Stoicism 101: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs." I've been hooked on the philosophy ever since. I just finished reading Meditations. The Obstacle is the Way is next on my list.