Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Author Nick Shelton, a Communication and Social Strategy Coach for introverted, shy, and socially awkward people. He was born in Texas, raised and lives in Denver, Colorado, USA. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force and has worked in the Oil and Gas industry for 15 years.
He wants to help people live their best lives by showing them how to network as introverts to connect with like-minded individuals who will accept and respect them.
Hi Nick, please introduce yourself and tell us a little about what it is you do.
I’m Nick Shelton, the author of the book “An Introvert’s Guide to World Domination.”
In the first half of my life, I was extremely shy, introverted, and socially awkward. Fortunately, after reaching a breaking point, I discovered how to flip it around and have been fine-tuning the craft of effective, high-level social strategy and networking for twenty years. Beginning with my time in the United States Air Force, coupled with extensive research and fifteen years of experience in the Oil and Gas industry, I finally cracked the code and developed tools that gave me the confidence to flourish in social situations. I have now successfully built a strong, international network of friends, colleagues, and associates and currently teach introverts, shy and socially awkward people how to navigate social events with ease by breaking the process down into bite-sized steps made specifically for people like us (introverts).
Can you tell us a little more about your journey?
Sure, as I mentioned earlier, I grew up extremely shy and introverted. So much so that when I started a new school in the second grade, the teachers thought I was deaf and put me in the hearing impaired kid class. I don’t know why, I guess they didn’t know any better at the time. But it was actually pretty cool. There were only four of us in there, and we were learning sign language and becoming good friends quickly.
The fun all ended about a week into it when my mom found out I was in there and explained to the teachers that I was not deaf, I was simply very shy, and they kicked me out of that class and put me back in “general population.” As you can imagine, that sucked. And that was the start of a long battle of social awkwardness and shyness.
Middle school and High school, I had trouble fitting in and trouble talking to girls naturally.
When I got out of high school, I figured if I could make some money, it would solve everything.
I became a commodity futures trader and was able to make quite a bit of money fairly quickly. But money didn’t help my social situation. I was the same guy, I just had nicer stuff.
Then I tried alcohol, which worked a little bit, but then you have to be drinking all the time, and that comes with its own problems, such as getting a reputation as a drunk dude.
I wanted to upgrade my life. I knew I could be better. I was tired of living in the shadows. I was tired of not being seen, heard, invited, and included. Most of all, I was tired of people underestimating me.
I had to find a way out.
You’ve heard the sayings, “show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.”
“Your network is your net-worth” “you are the sum of the 5 people you spend the most time around, so choose wisely”.
Ok so…
Where do you find these 5 people? When you find them, how do YOU get there, and when you get there, how do you actually connect with them?
I read the books and took the courses about networking and small talk. NONE of them worked for me. They weren’t designed for introverts. They were made for “normal” people, not people like us.
I was very depressed, but I didn’t give up. I was determined to find a way.
Using the superpower of introverts (the power of observation), I started going out, out on the town by myself. I’d just sit and observe. I’d watch and study social interactions and dynamics between people. Taking what I learned, I put together a system. A blueprint for step by step socializing and networking techniques specifically for us introverts.
I applied it to myself and was able to build a very strong, close, high level, an international network of friends, colleagues, and associates, which allows me to be able to do a lot of things most people don’t get to do.
I often get invited to high-end, exclusive events by and with like-minded people that I enjoy being around who enjoy being around me. And not just big events, small intimate parties, gatherings, and experiences that I previously would not have even known existed or would not have been invited to. In addition to that, I get access to investments and opportunities that I would not have been able to have before as well.
So I was able to network a whole new life, a better life. A life where I am known, seen, included, and respected. It’s my dream life!
What inspired you to write your book “An Introvert’s Guide to World Domination”?
I wrote the book because I wanted to show that it is possible to be an introvert and be wildly successful in a world built by and for extroverts without compromising your integrity or energy…so without burning out. I want to show introverts a way to access their best life and upgrade their lives and lifestyles through communication and networking techniques specifically designed for people like us.
Introverts are NOT extroverts and shouldn’t have to try to become one or act like them in order to get ahead and have access to our best lives.
How would you say the book’s methods stand apart from the other books and programs out there?
My book doesn’t have fluff or fillers, and it is not based on theory. It is streamlined and to the point so as not to waste your time and give you what you need right now to get results right now. The techniques I teach in my book are designed specifically with the needs of introverts in mind and based off of what has worked for me personally and my students in real life, allowing us to build strong, close-knit networks where we are seen, heard, accepted, and respected by people we care about who also care about us. There is no faster way that I know of to upgrade your life and social status than to surround yourself with people who are high achievers that bring out the best in you, whose successful habits you will pick up simply by being in the right places and connecting.
Fantastic! So tell us, how can people find out more about you or find your new book?
My book “An Introvert’s Guide to World Domination” can be found on Amazon.com at this link.
And you can find out more about me and the programs I offer at my website: http://www.connectedintrovert.com. You can also check out my Instagram and LinkedIn.
Or e-mail me at nick@connectedintrovert.com.
Thank you so much for giving us your precious time! We wish you the best for your journey ahead!
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