{"id":11621,"date":"2012-10-17T20:59:59","date_gmt":"2012-10-18T04:59:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=11621"},"modified":"2013-09-20T11:39:21","modified_gmt":"2013-09-20T19:39:21","slug":"5-super-powered-ways-to-hulk-smash-your-shyness-and-win-new-friends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/5-super-powered-ways-to-hulk-smash-your-shyness-and-win-new-friends\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Super-Powered Ways to Hulk Smash Your Shyness and Win New Friends"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Shyness is a villain.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s insidious, invisible, and it ruins lives.<\/p>\n

It stops you from doing what you want and sabotages your efforts when you try to break free.<\/p>\n

You can\u2019t talk to the cute guy in the other department at work. You cling to people you know at parties. You find it hard to bond and actually make new friends.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s like an oppressive monster living inside you, holding you down while life passes by. Really, shyness is the worst type of villain because it makes YOU seem like the problem.<\/p>\n

Shyness is an evil bastard (cue maniacal laughter).<\/p>\n

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What you need are \u201csuper powers\u201d to smash your shyness so you CAN bond with new friends.\u00a0 And who better to model than the Master of Smash himself (who doubles as a shy nerd), the Incredible Hulk?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

What a Movie Bromance Can Teach You about Overcoming Shyness<\/strong><\/p>\n

If the title about super powers<\/em> and the Hulk<\/em> caught your eye, it\u2019s likely you watched the blockbuster film, The Avengers<\/em>. I for one loved it (and contributed twice to its record setting box-office take).<\/p>\n

But for me, one particular part of the story stood out more than Robert Downey Jr.\u2019s clever bantering, the Hulk succor punching Thor, or Scarlett Johansson tied up in lingerie\u2026<\/p>\n

That would be the friendship between Bruce Banner (Hulk) and Tony Stark (Iron Man).<\/strong> And I\u2019m not the only one who was intrigued. A quick search of \u201cAvengers Bromance\u201d proves that.<\/p>\n

Part of what made it appealing is the fact Bruce Banner is such a shy, retiring character. He\u2019s quiet and soft-spoken<\/a>. Yet he becomes friends with Tony Stark; the most brash and outgoing of the lot and the type of person who would intimidate most shy people.<\/p>\n

So how did it happen?<\/p>\n

I mean sure, it\u2019s fiction and all, but are there some practical lessons to take on how you can get past your shy, quiet nature to build new friendships?<\/p>\n

Yes I think there are. And they\u2019re actually based on sound psychological principles<\/strong> many experts have proven to work time and again.<\/p>\n

So sit back, put on your Hulk stretch pants and get ready to flex some confidence muscles.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(Spoiler Alert)<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Follow your passions <\/strong><\/p>\n

Bruce Banner (Hulk) is a remarkable scientist. He obviously has a passion for his work. Not only has this gained him respect, it gains him the attention of Tony Stark (Iron Man). Stark is more of an engineer, but he\u2019s also<\/em> brilliant.<\/p>\n

This brain-power and passion for science is part of what lets the two connect so well. That\u2019s their common bond no other members of the Avengers can claim.<\/p>\n

So be sure to take a cue and figure out what your<\/em> passions in life are. Explore these and make them an active part of your days. Your enthusiasm will create attraction and respect all around. Plus, when you find someone else who shares your values and passions, it can form a friendship like no other.<\/p>\n

2. Face your fears gradually<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite being shy AND fearing he might tear an entire city apart, Bruce Banner leaves seclusion to share his unique strengths with the world. Throughout the movie, he gradually<\/em> transforms from cautious and controlled to more empowered (and green).<\/p>\n

Really, this is the foundation of overcoming shyness. You\u2019ve got to get out into the world and face the social situations that cause you anxiety<\/strong>. You have to face your fears. There\u2019s no other way.<\/p>\n

But the key is to do it gradually. It might be too hard for you to talk to that beautiful girl in the bar tonight. But maybe you can<\/em> look a woman in the eye as you pass her on the street. Maybe next time you make eye contact AND say hi. Keep upping the ante and eventually, talking to that hottie in the club won\u2019t seem such a monster leap.<\/p>\n

3. Show your weird side<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bruce Banner turns into a huge green freak that levels anything in sight. He\u2019s also a nerd, through and through. Yet he was able to find someone who could relate to all that in Tony Stark. After all, Stark is pretty eccentric and has his own quirks too.<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s pretty hard for Banner to hide his weird side (because it\u2019s 7 foot tall and green), many of us hide our quirks fearing they won\u2019t be accepted. Yet these are usually the things that make us unique<\/strong> and stem from our passions and core values.<\/p>\n

Maybe you :<\/p>\n