Allex Michael: "To overcome extreme shyness, try speaking when you're alone. In other words, talk to yourself. Discuss your latest project, current affairs or hash over the latest controversy. You can speak freely without apprehension of screwing up, tripping, choking or having your feelings being hurt.

Though I'm still ultra sensitive, to others and my surroundings, rehearsing potential conversations really helped my shyness. And it's not much different than practising a speech or preparing for a lecture. You can also memorize a couple jokes or at least read the newspaper. That way you'll be prepared with something useful or memorable for the person with whom you are speaking.

By the way, when in public, speaking to yourself is best done in silence and without lip synch.

Thankfully, I've overcome most of my shyness. Working really hard to achieve my first published article, selling my first photograph and making my first film has afforded me some self esteem. But one of the best ways to overcome shyness is to stop obsessing about what people think of you. This is easier said than done some days. Plus some careers, like the entertainment industry, are based on what other people think.

There is one more thing you can do to overcome shyness and public perception. Whenever something bad happens, or someone says something less than flattering, try to do something good. Some nice thing that you wouldn't have done otherwise. This is just a way of tilting the scales in your favor. That way when people do talk, their words will no longer end my will to live."