Читать книгу The Pelman System of Mind and Memory Training - Lessons I to XII - Анон - Страница 55

12. Further: if a definite aim assists in the unfolding of mental ability, it also renders a real service in the formation of character. For instance, it promotes those feelings and ideas that are the best antidote to excessive and injurious shyness or reserve; it tends to destroy self-consciousness, as seen in hesitating speech, blushing and inertia. As many people are afflicted in this way, we propose to indicate the mental conditions that give rise to the trouble, and to offer an effective remedy. The shy man, the man of deep reserve, of slow speech, hesitating manner, and inactive habits, is frequently possessed of excellent qualities. He is as a rule aware of this fact, and his irritation in not being able to make full use of such qualities is sometimes intense. What is the source of the difficulty? It lies in the fault of turning the mind’s attention inwards. He is morbidly affected by what other people think of him, and shows extreme sensitiveness to an adverse opinion—or even the possibility of one. When he enters a room full of people he does not think of them but of himself: he believes they are all looking at him and probably criticising him. This has an inevitable result in awkwardness of movement, blunders in speech, and other social crudities—he being all the while conscious of his failures. It is the same in business. To have to appear at a Board Meeting and answer questions is an agony instead of being a fine opportunity; to see a less endowed man forging ahead arouses anger instead of compelling action.