(and my attempt at poetry)
Once upon a time there was a mouse who was so quiet and meek.
Every time she tried to talk all that came out was a squeak,
She had no idea in the world if success could be hers
Because she was afraid to go talk to the big mighty bears.
The bears were not big, though to the mouse they seemed so
They were as tall as the mouse if she stood on her tip toes.
But in her mind she was so tiny and gray
And she didn’t think she had it to approach them that day.
But then something changed and she had to feed her family.
While looking at bills she realized she couldn’t afford tea.
So she looked in the mirror and smiled at herself
And reached up and took a new attitude off the shelf.
She went to the bears and said how do you do
I have something to sell you, a great pair of shoes.
She smiled with confidence, though frightened inside
She asked them questions though she wanted to hide.
One bear growled and shook his head.
The little mouse thought that for sure she was dead.
Then he looked at the shoes and tried a pair on his feet.
And before she knew it he was down on his seat
Trying on more shoes and smiling too
For she did not know he had wanted some shoes.
The little mouse could not believe her eyes
The bear bought ten pair and then did rise
“Thank you dear mouse, you helped feel a need.”
And now the mouse could go home with the feed.
For she was able to do what she needed to do
And through it all she learned that she can sell shoes.
OK, it’s a pretty bad poem, sorry, I’m not the best rhymer but I was on a roll.
Often a shy person is afraid to break out and approach others for fear of rejection. But when they find a why, like this mouse did in needing to feed her family, they often do things they never thought they would. In this case, the poor mouse approached the bear (figuratively) to sell shoes because that was her only option. By asking questions and finding a need, she was able to break past her fear and sell.
So if you are one of those shy mice but need something to happen, focus on why it must be done and just do it.
You will be surprised at what you can do with the right boost of adrenaline and belief in yourself.