Q: I am 18 years old. I consider myself as a timid man who is childish and unassertive. What should I do to overcome this problem? I too think that I am not mature enough for my age. My friends also keep me out of their personal talks. My family members also consider me as a small child. I also lack aggression. If I compare myself with my peers, I find myself as an extremely gullible person. Please help.

A:You seem to have a high degree of self-awareness. That is the first step to handling any problem. Some people are late developers, some are early and some are in the middle. Aggression is not a necessary trait, though people who are aggressive do seem to get what they want, sooner. You will have to make a conscious effort to weigh the statements people make and learn not to believe all of them! The best way to find out about the world at large is to read good fiction, even classical fiction. We learn more from the story books and novels that we read, than we are aware of. Gradually our knowledge about human behaviour increases and we learn to handle real life situations. If you have a flair for music, join a music class in your spare time. Alternatively, you might try and join a club (Stamp Collecting, for instance) where you will meet others. You will be well liked when you are friendly and helpful. Cultivate an interest in helping others and you will find that your timidity is not a problem.