Not all people are born charming. Some people have to work really hard to strike up a decent conversation with a complete stranger. If you're one of those people that are too shy, you're probably having a hard time trying to ask out the lover of your dreams. You're missing out on a lot of opportunities in all aspects of your life. Even asking for a well-deserved raise in your paycheck is a chore for you. Here are some things you can do that will definitely improve your self-confidence and social skills:

Smile more often. If you're having a difficult time smiling in public, try smiling privately at first. People seem more approachable and less threatening when they're smiling. It's good to show the world that you have a sweet, gentle side.

Speak up. Make your voice a few notches louder, and make sure you speak your mind. Most shy people are soft spoken and timid, and while there's nothing wrong with silence, too much of it can prevent you from shining. You're a very unique person with unique thoughts and feelings. It's about time you le the rest of the world know this.

Sit in front. When attending a seminar or a meeting, don't hide behind other people. Let yourself be seen. Standing out is a good thing if you want to improve your social skills, because it creates more possibilities for social interaction.

Make eye contact. Don't be afraid to look into another person's eyes. Looking away means that the other person intimidates you. If you're not used to it, try making eye contact with photographs of people in magazines. Practicing eye contact helps you feel more comfortable when you do it in person.

Watch the news or read newspapers. Keeping an eye on current events will always give you a topic for conversation whenever you're lost for ideas. They will always give you something to say. However, you have to make sure that you know what you're talking about, or else people won't place any weight on what you say, and will often ignore you.

Make an effort to learn about people and to understand them. Be aware of the fact that different people were brought up in different ways. Since we all have different backgrounds, it takes awhile before we fully understand each other's body language. Take time to get to know people well, because this will help you interact with them more effortlessly.

Take small steps. You don't have to take a big leap and try to make friends at a hip party. You can start slowly, first by saying "hi" and being friendly to waiters, clerks, and bag boys who serve you at local establishments. Don't be afraid to be kind to strangers. These will not only help you with your social skills, but they will also brighten up another person's day.