Dr. Slava Shut

Welcome to Topic Tuesdays, where we focus on a specific topic related to business, finance, or life in general. This week, we’re talking about community interaction, and why you shouldn’t be too shy.

A lot of you might not really know this about me, but I’m more than a doctor, a father, and a CEO. I also have a few passion projects that I like to work on. Having fun with this hobby for me means I’ve been fortunate to have interviewed some of the most interesting people. I run a podcast, where I talk to all kinds of guests about running businesses, overcoming adversity, and securing wealth for their families

One of my favorite guests on the show is Miranda Jiggins. She’s got such fantastic energy and an outstanding work ethic that often gets lost in photos and videos. When she talks to you about something, you almost can’t help but get excited about it. She’s a powerhouse. But, she’ll tell you, she wasn’t always that way.

In fact, at one point in her life, Miranda was actually pretty shy and reserved. She used to avoid challenges that she easily hurdles now. It’s hard to believe it when talking to her lately, but at one point, she wasn’t nearly as social and confident as she is now.

Don’t Be Shy

You might miss some opportunities, but there’s nothing inherently wrong with being shy; G-d gave the world all the different types of people, shy and outgoing alike. Our differences are what make us unique, powerful, and able to overcome problems. On top of that, people change throughout the course of their lives. People that appear to be shy can actually be pretty outgoing. Someone who appears to be reserved at one point in their life, like Miranda, can grow out of that shell into a powerfully energetic social butterfly when properly encouraged.

But hiding your talents from the world is not what is meant for you.

Sure, you could say “Miranda used to be shy, but look at her now!” But would that tell the whole story? Probably not; some of the things you go through in life can change you. Every time is an opportunity to change for the better.

While you’re here on planet Earth, you need to experience all of the struggles and triumphs that life has to offer. No matter how shy you are, you don’t want to hide yourself away in the mountains somewhere, studying some ancient philosphy and ignoring the world you were born into.

Don’t be afraid of the strife of life. You were meant to be inconvenienced, to suffer setbacks. and to grow and innovate. You were meant to love, and to experience heartache. You were born to live.

Rise to the Challenge

Just as your mindset can make the impossible possible, it goes the other way, too. A mindset can convince you that something that’s within your grasp is somehow out of reach. Maybe there’s something you want to do, but you haven’t done it yet; is it because you can’t? Is it because you don’t want to? Is it because you were afraid to?

Doubts don’t deserve this much energy. Focus on achieving your goals and dismiss the doubt. I’ve recently been in situations that required immediate action. I literally didn’t have time to doubt. Sometimes, taking extra time to strategize can make you miss your window. It’s up to you to recognize when and where your opportunities are presenting themselves and take advantage of them as best you can.

Action cures anxiety and it prevents overthinking; when there’s an obvious and immediate need, like an emergency, details become less important than objectives. It becomes more important to act than to act perfectly. Many times, action, itself, is more than enough to prevent something bad, or to cause something good. But you have to believe that; you have to have the confidence to know that when you get involved with something, it will improve.

Starting from this mindset, pick something you’ve always wanted to do. Plan it, but don’t overplan. Do it, but don’t overdo it. Remember the good parts, and also experience the bad ones. Find what you’re really capable of; don’t sit in the mountains, meditating and wondering!

Don’t shy away; rise to the challenge. Your best life depends on it. Tell me about how overcoming a challenge led to a transformation in your life on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.