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how can i become less scared to talk to people?
i am about to be in 10th grade, i haven’t really been in any jobs or done any volunteering. i want to start working so i can make some money .
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8 answers
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Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Attend some communication classes. They will teach you some skills and practice.
2..Be open minded
3. Try to talk to more to your close friends and family
4. Be friendly and try to chit chat with different people if you feel comfortable
Have this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions:
1. Attend some communication classes. They will teach you some skills and practice.
2..Be open minded
3. Try to talk to more to your close friends and family
4. Be friendly and try to chit chat with different people if you feel comfortable
Have this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Updated
Matt’s Answer
Hello there!
Great question!
If you are talking generally - My experience is that I generally love learning about people, their experiences and just enjoy listening! However, that is challenge is you first need to talk to folks to hear about them. I find that being truly honest goes a long way and sometimes opens the door to learning more about people. You can always ask more questions about the assignment or topic they chose. It will be easier for them to talk about because they just did the work and have some knowledge of the situation.
If you are talking about an interview, what might help is understanding the context. Most of the time they will be asking you questions to find out if you are the right fit for the job or position. What you can think of is instead of focusing on the need to talk, focus on that you only have a certain amount of time to tell this person about how great you are! They don't realize how smart, dedicated, kind, and knowledgeable you really are! When you look at it this way, it may be easier for you to prepare and worry less about the talking part because let's face it, you know about yourself more than anyone!
You are already thinking about this in great ways, volunteering is a great way to engage with people with a common goal. Sometimes it might be less scary talking about the goal or volunteer topic than making things up to talk about. Also volunteering is great for experience in your upcoming job search.
Wishing you good luck! You will be great!
Great question!
If you are talking generally - My experience is that I generally love learning about people, their experiences and just enjoy listening! However, that is challenge is you first need to talk to folks to hear about them. I find that being truly honest goes a long way and sometimes opens the door to learning more about people. You can always ask more questions about the assignment or topic they chose. It will be easier for them to talk about because they just did the work and have some knowledge of the situation.
If you are talking about an interview, what might help is understanding the context. Most of the time they will be asking you questions to find out if you are the right fit for the job or position. What you can think of is instead of focusing on the need to talk, focus on that you only have a certain amount of time to tell this person about how great you are! They don't realize how smart, dedicated, kind, and knowledgeable you really are! When you look at it this way, it may be easier for you to prepare and worry less about the talking part because let's face it, you know about yourself more than anyone!
You are already thinking about this in great ways, volunteering is a great way to engage with people with a common goal. Sometimes it might be less scary talking about the goal or volunteer topic than making things up to talk about. Also volunteering is great for experience in your upcoming job search.
Wishing you good luck! You will be great!
Updated
Autymn’s Answer
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for reaching out! I'm an introvert and often feel anxious about talking to people. I suggest starting with small conversations to build confidence. You can wish someone a good weekend or compliment their backpack. Any little chance to speak is a win!
Also, consider joining a school group that matches your interests. It's a great way to meet people and expand your network. You never know what opportunities might come from connecting with others!
Over time, you'll feel more comfortable talking to people!
Thanks for reaching out! I'm an introvert and often feel anxious about talking to people. I suggest starting with small conversations to build confidence. You can wish someone a good weekend or compliment their backpack. Any little chance to speak is a win!
Also, consider joining a school group that matches your interests. It's a great way to meet people and expand your network. You never know what opportunities might come from connecting with others!
Over time, you'll feel more comfortable talking to people!
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Kevin — Great question, and you're definitely not alone in thinking about this.
Personally, I’ve become more comfortable engaging with new people by shifting my focus and honing a few key skills:
Ask Thoughtful Questions:
They don’t need to be groundbreaking—just rooted in genuine curiosity. Showing interest in someone’s background, perspective, or experience often opens the door to meaningful conversation.
Practice Active Listening:
When you pair good questions with attentive listening, you’ll naturally uncover common ground. That shared understanding makes conversations flow more easily and authentically.
Most people enjoy talking about themselves (no surprise there), so you’ll often find that you can walk away from a conversation having learned a lot—while doing relatively little of the talking yourself. Over time, as you build these habits and assume positive intent from others, your confidence will grow alongside your curiosity
Personally, I’ve become more comfortable engaging with new people by shifting my focus and honing a few key skills:
Ask Thoughtful Questions:
They don’t need to be groundbreaking—just rooted in genuine curiosity. Showing interest in someone’s background, perspective, or experience often opens the door to meaningful conversation.
Practice Active Listening:
When you pair good questions with attentive listening, you’ll naturally uncover common ground. That shared understanding makes conversations flow more easily and authentically.
Most people enjoy talking about themselves (no surprise there), so you’ll often find that you can walk away from a conversation having learned a lot—while doing relatively little of the talking yourself. Over time, as you build these habits and assume positive intent from others, your confidence will grow alongside your curiosity
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
I am an introvert and it took me a while to get used to talking with people. There are still times as an adult where I am nervous to engage with groups. With that being said, the best way to get comfortable is to talk with people. If there is a club at school that you are interested in, maybe start by attending meetings. Other people in the club should have similar interest in. Those are easier conversations to start up.
Another thing I remember all of the time is that everyone is trying to get through their day the best way they can. We all have concerns and problems that we’re dealing with. Sometimes just by being kind to others, you can break down the awkwardness.
Another thing I remember all of the time is that everyone is trying to get through their day the best way they can. We all have concerns and problems that we’re dealing with. Sometimes just by being kind to others, you can break down the awkwardness.
Updated
Johnny’s Answer
I was in the same boat as you in high school, and although I still consider myself an introvert, I didn't let that stop me from having a fulfilling life and meaningful relationships with other people. However, there aren't any shortcuts to this, and the key is to regularly go outside of your comfort zone, practice your public speaking skills, and hopefully having fun doing it!
For me, that included joining the speech and debate team in high school. It helped me immensely with speaking in front of strangers, developed my critical thinking skills, and I even formed some lifelong friendships. After I started working, I joined Toastmasters, which is a public speaking club with many chapters worldwide. By constantly practicing my public speaking, I found that I was able to become a more effective communicator in my personal life and career as well. I'm sure there are countless other options, such as theater, music, or even tabletop gaming clubs, so it's just a matter of what sounds fun to you!
What all of these have in common is a safe and supportive space to practice your speaking skills, and getting and giving constructive feedback from others. It might be awkward at first, and it is natural to feel nervous even after years of experience, but with time, you will learn to control your nerves and harness the confidence within.
Find a club you're interested in that lets you practice your speaking skills.
Continue to practice your public speaking regularly.
For me, that included joining the speech and debate team in high school. It helped me immensely with speaking in front of strangers, developed my critical thinking skills, and I even formed some lifelong friendships. After I started working, I joined Toastmasters, which is a public speaking club with many chapters worldwide. By constantly practicing my public speaking, I found that I was able to become a more effective communicator in my personal life and career as well. I'm sure there are countless other options, such as theater, music, or even tabletop gaming clubs, so it's just a matter of what sounds fun to you!
What all of these have in common is a safe and supportive space to practice your speaking skills, and getting and giving constructive feedback from others. It might be awkward at first, and it is natural to feel nervous even after years of experience, but with time, you will learn to control your nerves and harness the confidence within.
Johnny recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Salvatore’s Answer
Hello, Kevin, and thank you for asking this question.
Keep in mind you are talking to a stranger by using this forum to ask your question. You're already doing it!
As someone who has worked in education for a long time now, this is something that I have experienced myself, and I have worked with thousands of students who have felt the same way as you.
Talking to people is something that gets much easier with practice. Volunteering or joining a club at your school can be a great way to get started. When you have something to talk about (such as a project or a club activity) it gives you a starting place for a conversation. It can take some time to get more comfortable speaking with people, but I promise that it will get easier.
It's important to remember that other people are human beings just like us. They also get nervous to talk to people, have their own concerns and worries, and also their own things that bring them enjoyment. Realizing this helped me feel more comfortable meeting and speaking with new people. I fully believe that you can find common ground with anyone, even if it is something as simple as enjoying pizza.
As a teenager, I was always very worried about making a mistake or saying the wrong thing, but, to be perfectly honest, sometimes that happens. The best that we can do is embrace the imperfection and learn--we will do some things perfectly and others may take some time for us to really understand and put into practice.
Keep in mind you are talking to a stranger by using this forum to ask your question. You're already doing it!
As someone who has worked in education for a long time now, this is something that I have experienced myself, and I have worked with thousands of students who have felt the same way as you.
Talking to people is something that gets much easier with practice. Volunteering or joining a club at your school can be a great way to get started. When you have something to talk about (such as a project or a club activity) it gives you a starting place for a conversation. It can take some time to get more comfortable speaking with people, but I promise that it will get easier.
It's important to remember that other people are human beings just like us. They also get nervous to talk to people, have their own concerns and worries, and also their own things that bring them enjoyment. Realizing this helped me feel more comfortable meeting and speaking with new people. I fully believe that you can find common ground with anyone, even if it is something as simple as enjoying pizza.
As a teenager, I was always very worried about making a mistake or saying the wrong thing, but, to be perfectly honest, sometimes that happens. The best that we can do is embrace the imperfection and learn--we will do some things perfectly and others may take some time for us to really understand and put into practice.
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Kevin!
How come some people tell you to practice in front of a mirror and repetitively try to improve your speech skills! When it translates to the situation of giving the speech to a crowd and you fold up emotionally?
Another method involves joining public speaking clubs and groups. You get to enjoy and participate in the art of public speaking with friends. They will show you how to cultivate appropriate mindset for speeches. This is a challenge actors face too.
How come some people tell you to practice in front of a mirror and repetitively try to improve your speech skills! When it translates to the situation of giving the speech to a crowd and you fold up emotionally?
Another method involves joining public speaking clubs and groups. You get to enjoy and participate in the art of public speaking with friends. They will show you how to cultivate appropriate mindset for speeches. This is a challenge actors face too.