RichardBrooks, yes I have the same issues you talk about, and I think it is very likely I am on the autism spectrum. And we are on the same page about society and its built in defense mechanisms.

It is very inspiring to hear from someone who went from being socially marginalized to socially valued. However, there is a little part of this that is confusing to me.

When you explain "play the character you want to be" you say "so what you need to do is be someone else, someone who isn't socially awkward", but then later on when further explaining, you say "I don't mean act like a specific movie or TV character, or act like someone you aren't. Authenticity is a big part of charisma." Well, this is a huge part of what I struggle with. Whenever I try to be the person I want to be, someone who isn't socially awkward, it always feels like I am not being genuine. So can you explain to me what the difference is between what your proposing and acting like something you aren't? If I am socially awkward, wouldn't acting like someone who isn't socially awkward entail acting like someone I'm not?

I already do a couple of the other things on that list btw. How long did it take you to go from socially awkward to charismatic?