<p>this kinda follows up on a previous thread.
i'm pretty introverted and shy, but i'd say definitely more shy because once i get comfortable with people, i can carry on conversation to a tolerable extent.
i'm interested in medicine-not really for the patient contact part of it-just the biological healing aspect of medicine, but i realize that communication will be essential. this presents a probably ridiculous dilemma for me because i am comfortable being myself (and many people recommend doing so), but in order for me to improve my communication abilities, i need to NOT be myself and actively seek conversation and discussion, things i am very uncomfortable with. how would you guys recommend finding a balance between the two, of being yourself and NOT being yourself to extend social/communication boundaries?</p>
<p>try and focus on who you want to be rather than who you are. i notice my personality changes dramatically depending on my goals and my environment. if i’m trying to accomplish something, i’ll become more responsible. if i’m trying to meet people, i’ll become more talkative. if i’m in the army, i’ll become more dutiful. if you want to be more outgoing, put yourself in situations where you talk to more people, and voila. it’s pretty counterintuitive, but there is no “real you”…the world changes you more than you’d think.</p>
<p>remember, defining your personality limits you rather than helping you. what matters is not who you are, it’s what you want to do.</p>