Archive for Contemplation

Spring is in the Air

by Janet
May 1st, 2017

first signs of springThis is one of my favourite times of year. After months of short, cold, grey days, it’s so energizing to see the sun more and more and for longer stretches of time.

It’s so easy to go into hibernation during the winter months when you work from home, especially if you’re inclined to introversion as it is. But once the spring comes, who can resist setting work aside, even for half an hour, to get out and enjoy the fresh air?

Yesterday the twig was brown and bare;

To-day the glint of green is there;

Tomorrow will be leaflets spare;

I know no thing so wondrous fair,

No miracle so strangely rare.

I wonder what will next be there!

 

L.H. Bailey, American horticulturist, botanist and cofounder of the American Society for Horticultural Science (1858-1954)

What’s your favourite season, and why?

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Is Facebook a Godsend to Introverts?

by Hazel Thornton
August 28th, 2013

My new theory, triggered by yet another post about introverts in my news feed, is that Facebook (FB) is dominated by introverts. And that all those little-used and abandoned social media accounts belong to extroverts who can’t be bothered with sitting alone in front of a computer, and who would rather be out having face-to-face conversations and participating in group activities.

Hazel Thornton on Facebook

I posed this theory on FB to see what my friends had to say. There were a few who replied that they were, indeed, extroverts who appreciate any and all social outlets, but they really only seemed to be the exceptions that prove the rule.  As one introverted friend observed, “I know some people I consider extroverts who post fairly regularly – usually about the extroverted things they’re doing!”

Additional comments:

FB is less scary than being out in public. (Not that introverts are necessarily shy.)

I do most of my socializing on FB. I don’t even like talking on the phone.

Though I can enjoy being with others, that’s almost never a recharging experience for me.

I agree that FB has been a godsend to this introvert.

As a true introvert, I do find that I “hide” behind my computer, and FB is a good way to reach out to people. Great for marketing, too.

I’m so grateful for the recent flood of supportive materials regarding introversion. I feel relieved and free and without the need to feel guilty for simply being myself.

And my personal favorite:

I think you have uncovered the key to life, the universe, and all knowledge.

I find it amusing when someone (an extrovert) sees me in person and exclaims, “I haven’t seen you in ages!” which may be true, technically speaking, but…are they really forgetting our frequent online interactions? Do those not count somehow? To me those exchanges are as real as in-person time.  And a whole lot easier.

Another thing people (extroverts?) say is that FB has caused a decrease in good old fashioned face-to-face social interaction. I disagree. If I am home on a Saturday night chatting online with FB friends, I can guarantee you that the alternative is not to go out partying. The alternative is to read a good book…alone. I feel MUCH MORE sociable since the advent of social media and, on occasion, have even been known to  get together IN PERSON with someone I’ve gotten to know better online. But only for an hour or two. And then I need a nap!

What do YOU think?

Hazel Thornton is a professional organizer and genealogist based in Albuquerque, New Mexico; creator of The Clutter Flow Chart Collection; and author of Go with the Flow! The Clutter-Clearing Tool Kit for an Organized Life. Visit her online at www.org4life.com.

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Creativity

by Chris
October 8th, 2012

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Are Introverts Inferior to Extroverts?

by Guest
September 12th, 2012

proud introvertA reader recently asked me to shed some light on the negative perception that many extraverts have of introverts, and how we can overcome that. I believe that the following article by Jon Mercer answers those questions quite well.

Depending on which research you look at, somewhere between 30 to 40% of the population are introverts. In the United States alone, these statistics represent 75 to 120 million people. Worldwide, the number is well up into the billions. In other words, there are an awful lot of introverts around.

But unfortunately, many cultures do not appreciate introverts as much as they should. The United States, for example, tends to be a very extrovert-oriented society, and even the word “introvert” has historically had negative connotations, as if being an introvert was inferior.

Society often tells us myths like, “you must be an extravert to succeed in business,” or “introverts do not like people.” Both of these examples are completely false, however. And in fact, per capita, introverts probably contribute more to the world than any other single group. So much for their inferiority…

Here’s a good example: who is the wealthiest person in the United States? Bill Gates, right? Does anyone believe for one second that Bill Gates is an extrovert? I didn’t think so. Okay, how about the second richest person in the United States, Warren Buffett? Anyone who has done the slightest bit of research on Mr. Buffett’s background will be aware that he also tends to be introverted.

Interesting, isn’t it? Conventional wisdom says that in order to succeed you MUST be an extrovert; but the two richest people in the United States are introverts. Something doesn’t add up here…

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Is social networking an introverted or extraverted activity?

by Janet
May 20th, 2009

I’ve come across quite a few articles and blog posts lately that raise the question “Is social networking an introverted or extraverted activity?” It’s an interesting topic that I touched on briefly last year in a post called Social Networking: Introversion vs. Extraversion.

An unidentified author at oneIndia claims that social networking sites are turning extraverts into introverts, because people are increasingly using these sites to communicate with friends and family members in lieu of staying in touch by telephone. I have to disagree. For starters, extraverts don’t become introverts simply because they’ve chosen to communicate in writing (an introverted preference) rather than by telephone (an extraverted preference). They may prefer social networking because it allows them to easily communicate with many people and expand their social circle beyond those that they know offline. Actually, any credibility this author may have had was destroyed when they went on to say that people are watching less television and spending more time on social networking sites, since watching television is clearly a more introverted activity than social networking, so I won’t waste any more time on this article, which was brought to my attention by Patricia Weber, Business Sales Coach for Introverts.

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Online Communication – Perfect for Introverts!

by Janet
January 5th, 2008

Mark Dykeman has just posted an article on The Mighty Introvert blog, called Five easy ways for an introvert to communicate. In it he talks about how we are often underestimated because face-to-face communication is not our strong point, and how the Internet has made such a difference for us.

I have often considered how the Internet has enabled me to run my virtual assistant business, because the technology allows information to be transmitted in ways that weren’t possible as recently as 15 years ago, and this in turn allows me to serve clients in faraway locations. But I hadn’t really contemplated that the Internet has also made me a more successful entrepreneur, because face-to-face (or even telephone) communication rarely takes place until there has been an exchange of emails or conversation on a discussion forum, or the potential client has at least had a chance to visit my website. And yet it seems so obvious, when I think about it!

By the way, I learned about The Mighty Introvert on a Facebook group called Don’t let me fool you. I’m an introvert. The name of the group really appeals to me, because after nearly six years in business, I’ve developed a comfort level in most networking situations, and people are often surprised to learn that I am in fact an introvert. I’ve questioned it myself from time to time, but no matter what test I do, from the MBTI to a simple magazine quiz, it’s always clear that I am an introvert, no doubt about it.

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Playing Extravert

by Janet
October 18th, 2007

Last year, one of my clients recommended me as a virtual assistant to one of her contacts. When I spoke with her, she was in the midst of a large project and already had admin support in place, so we agreed that we would connect again once that project was complete. She quickly realized she needed another person on her team and gave me a call, however, what she wanted me to do wasn’t admin work at all, but calling employers to invite them to take part in a job fair. My immediate reaction was “I don’t do that” so I told her I wasn’t sure I had time. She realized that it was right out of the blue and told me to think about it, but it was clear that she needed my decision that same day.

When I got off the phone, I realized that although I had committed to working on three other client projects, I hadn’t actually received the work for any of them, and money is money, so I called her back and agreed to work 10 to 15 hours per week. I figured it might not be too bad, because it wasn’t really selling, although I am not and have never been a phone person.

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What Legends Are Made Of

by Janet
May 17th, 2007

A talented trumpeter who toots his own horn winds up playing to an empty theatre.  A talented trumpeter who lets others recognize his talent winds up a legend.

Lisa Edmondson

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But I Don’t WANT to be an Extravert!

by Janet
April 25th, 2007

I’m planning to attend the Online International Virtual Assistants Convention next month. It’s an introvert’s dream come true – tons of learning and networking opportunities, all from the comfort of your own home!

One of the presentations that caught my eye is called Dare to Be Different: The Extrovert Approach for the Introvert. When I first read the title, I was quite excited to have a session just for us introverts, but when I read it again, I felt quite differently. I acknowledge that as a small business owner, it has been necessary for me to step outside my comfort zone on many occasions, either to do public speaking, or to mix and mingle with strangers. However, I consider myself to be fairly successful, but it hasn’t happened because I took an “extrovert” approach. It has happened because by being true to myself, I have attracted clients who value me for who I am. Many of my clients are also introverts, and are quite happy to communicate primarily via email or instant messenger rather than by telephone or face-to-face.

So, although I am curious as to what the presenter has to say about the subject, (the seminar description doesn’t tell me much), since there are so many wonderful topics to choose from, I think I’ll have to give this one a pass.

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The Monastery Cat

by Chris
January 29th, 2007

ph03058i.jpgAmong my introvert pastimes is a radio show on Monday evenings, featuring a French priest on Bible studies. I’m not particularly religious, but I like the Bible and I am absolutely a sucker for a beautiful voice. This priest’s voice is a little bit of heaven. I’m there every Monday evening enjoying my quiet time with the radio.

In January, he apologized for his voice. He had caught the flu. Oh, what a terrible flu! Of course he turned this to good account, because we’re studying the Book of Job. He could relate to how Job felt and suggested that we could, too.

He went on to tell us of the most unfortunate moment, on a Sunday morning, when he was so sick that he couldn’t fulfill his responsibilities at the monastery where he lives. He explained (in French) that he is “responsable du chat” – responsible for the cat. He was so sick that he could not meet this responsibility.

And yet, how charming of those priests to make this poor (old?) man feel useful – they put him in charge of the cat. It’s sad and sweet, in a way. And then the poor soul got sick and couldn’t look after the cat, how awful. He felt that he’d let the Community down. Another priest commiserated with him and said, much like one of Job’s comforters, ”If you’d looked after yourself you wouldn’t be sick.” Which made him feel even worse.

And then I realized.

He didn’t say “chat” – he said “chant.”

He’s not responsible for the cat – he’s responsible for the Gregorian chant – the choir.

Oh. Nevermind.

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We explore and celebrate introversion as a healthy personality type, defined by C.G. Jung and later by the Myers Briggs MBTI type indicator. Click on About and FAQ to learn more about this type. See if it fits you or someone you know. Add your comments to our posts, or join us in online or email discussion with other introverts.

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