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Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can ... - WordPress.com

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Esther managed to solve her problemfrom the <strong>com</strong>fort <strong>of</strong> her sweet spot. Yetsometimes stretch<strong>in</strong>g beyond it is ouronly choice. Some years ago I decidedthat I wanted to conquer my fear <strong>of</strong>public speak<strong>in</strong>g. After much hemm<strong>in</strong>gand haw<strong>in</strong>g, I signed up for a workshopat the Public Speak<strong>in</strong>g–Social AnxietyCenter <strong>of</strong> New York. I had my doubts; Ifelt like a garden-variety shy person,and I didn’t like the pathological sound<strong>of</strong> the term “social anxiety.” But theclass was based on desensitizationtra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, an approach that made senseto me. Often used as a way to conquerphobias, desensitization <strong>in</strong>volves expos<strong>in</strong>gyourself (and your amygdala) to theth<strong>in</strong>g you’re afraid <strong>of</strong> over and overaga<strong>in</strong>, <strong>in</strong> manageable doses. This is367/929

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