Eye contact is super important! Here's something fun you can try if your uncomfortable about making eye contact... Might even get you laid! When your walking thru a mall or other public area with lots of people, look females who are by themselves right in the eye, as they are walking toward you. Lock your focus on one eye, don't look ANYWHERE else, and don't break eye contact till you would have to turn your head to maintain it. Make sure your smiling, or you might creep her out. 9 times out of 10, you will get a smile back. As she's passing, quietly say "hi there"... They will ALWAYS say "hi" back! Doesn't matter what the girl looks like, or even If you think she 10 miles away from being in your league, as those are the ones that REALLY suprise you!
It's a fun game I like to play. A lot of times, girls will literally trip over there own feet trying to turn and look at you. People aren't used to being looked in eyes. Do it often enough, and in other venues (work, school, restaurants, ect...), soon your friends will start telling you that you've changed, and you seem more happy and confident now... At least, thats what happened with me!