If you've clicked over & read my newly updated "
About Me" page within the past couple of days, you will have seen that one of the things that I identify myself as is a "happy introvert". Are you an introvert or an extrovert? This is just a complete hypothesis, but I would guess that a lot of extroverts likely write blogs, and a lot of introverts likely read them. Or, maybe there are a lot of introverts like me who write blogs too?
Have you ever taken the Myers-Briggs personality test? There are lots of places to take it (or tests based on it) online. Check it out
here or here. I minored in psychology in college, so I took it at least once in school. I've also taken it at work before. I am a ISTJ personality type. That is I for introvert! The T is for thinking... I think a lot :) Yea!
But I live in an extrovert kind of world. Sometimes, I think extroverts can view introverts as snobbish, weird, anti-social, depressed or unfriendly. But that's totally not the case! At least not with me. It just takes me a while to feel comfortable & figure people out, & it's easier for me to get to know people on a one-on-one basis than talking to 10 people at once.
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| source unknown |
I don't mind being an introvert. But sometimes, I have to battle my natural tendencies in order to socialize, connect with others, and learn. So what are some things I work on doing?
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| yea friends! |
Plan meetings with friends. I love seeing my friends, but I have to make a conscious effort to set up things to do or times to see them or I might not at all! I also say "yes" whenever possible. I've learned that even if I don't feel like it or hadn't planned on it, it will be fun! I will have a good time. Just do it!
Attend classes/courses & join groups. This often involves being in a room full of people I don't know... and even sometimes SPEAKING to/with them all as a group (the horror!). Having a whole room of people I don't know stare at me while I try to get out a thought is just really stressful to me. Sometimes it's just necessary to get out of my shell & take a deep breath & just GO! These kinds of events have so much potential!
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| Back in the day... someone's birthday I think. 2006ish? |
Also, when I do go to these kinds of events, I make it a goal to speak to the group at least one time. Answer at least one question. State my opinion at least once. It makes me be an active participant & makes me feel more like a part of the group rather than the quiet girl watching from the sidelines.
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| New friend as a result of joining a marathon training group |
If all else fails, ask questions. Extroverts love to talk, so give them the opportunity. They will feel connected with you just because you asked them to share something about themselves or their ideas. They get good feelings from talking, just like we feel good staying quiet. So giving them the opportunity to do what they like to do makes them happy, and makes you feel like you were an active participant in that as well.
I don't need to turn myself into an extrovert. That's not really possible anyway. I like what I like & I am who I am & I'm ok with that. More than ok, happy! But, in a world that's all about connections, it is important for me to put myself out there just a little more than I might be comfortable with.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? If you're an introvert, what are some ways that you try to go against your natural tendencies in order to connect with others?
