I'm way too shy, please help
sev: I'll tell you a little about myself, hopefully my history regarding shyness can help you.I used to be shy, at school, around friends, even at home (outside of my parents and siblings).  Until I was chosen to be one of the lead characters at a school play, which I was pretty much forced to be a part of.  I had a stomach ache to the point that I couldn't stand up straight, I was so scared.  Somehow though, I was able to recite the lines properly.  Thereafter I was complimented so much by so many different people, even people I didn't know (such as other actor's parents), that I was able to gain self confidence and thought that I was truly a great actor who can maybe become one in the future.  This play was a turning point in my life, because to this day, I'm not shy, and I know I'm not a very good actor.  The worst that could have happened at this play was that I wouldn't be complimented (no way anyone would insult my skills, as it's not expected of a student to be good, let alone amazing).  In hindsight, it was worth the shot for a possible less shy future.As a teenager I had quite a bit of acne, and that caused low self-confidence in me for a while.  How I got over it was simple, yet accidental (or subconscious, as there is no way I would have thought of doing this on purpose at that time): overt confidence display.  Basically, act extremely self confident, and do things that even the bullies in class wouldn't dare to do.  This causes people to look at you in a more respectful way (at least in school, but with some modifications can be applied elsewhere), one in which they stop seeing your face, but what you've done, your history, your "self-confidence", etc.  It's kind of like being a fat ugly rock star or famous actor/celebrity/CEO.  Overt self-confidence display can lead to really bad behavior though, which I was able to control, but try to keep that in mind.Currently, I've removed the "overt" part from "overt confidence display." However, it was necessary at first, to make as strong of a first impression as possible.In theater, they teach actors to consider the audience members as donkeys or some other animal sitting down and watching them, to create a less traumatizing experience.  Try to do something similar when you play the guitar, or talk to someone.  Who are they to cause you to fumble or stutter or cause anxiety?  No matter who they really are, they're no one to cause any of those symptoms.Sorry about the long essay.