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The Librarian

by Janet
December 15th, 2018

librarian

I’ve had a library card for as long as I can remember.

A long time ago, I’d browse the shelves and select some books to take home and read over the next few weeks. I still do that occasionally, but I’m far more likely to look for a specific title in the library catalogue, request it, and pick it up when it comes in. But I don’t think I’ve ever asked a librarian to help me choose a book – if I have, it was decades ago.

I probably could have gone on that way quite happily. After all, I’m on track to read 50+ books this year, each selected for one of several reasons:

  • it was recommended by someone I know
  • it frequently showed up on book blogs or social media
  • I picked it up at a used book sale or the Little Free Library that recently opened in my neighbourhood (yay!)
  • I needed something to read and it happened to be available on Overdrive

I enjoyed Modern Mrs. Darcy’s 2015 Reading Challenge and decided I’d participate again this year.

Modern Mrs. Darcy 2018 Reading Challenge

To make it even more challenging, I planned to read the books in the order listed. I was doing great, and was even ahead of schedule (if you count on one book per month) until July when I got to “a book recommended by a librarian or indie bookseller.” Claiming it wasn’t convenient, I jumped ahead to the next one, then continued through the list.

With the end of the year – and the challenge – in sight, I had to admit that my reasons for not speaking to a librarian were just excuses for avoiding social interaction and that I needed to JUST DO IT. I’d have been really annoyed with myself if I didn’t complete the challenge, so I popped over to the library this morning before I could change my mind.

It was actually pretty exciting to have someone pick out five books for me after hearing just three titles I’d enjoyed this year! Definitely worth stepping outside my comfort zone.

I happened to have one of them at home already (borrowed from my sister, who recommended it) and briefly considered thanking her and going home to read the book I already had, but reminded myself that the point of doing the challenge was to expand my horizons, so I chose one of the others and I hope it will be an rewarding end to a great reading year.

Once I’ve read it, I’ll be revealing the titles of all 12 books I chose for the challenge on Away from my Desk. Why not subscribe so you can find out what they are?

Image courtesy of Iosphere at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Could a Book Club Enhance Your Life?

by Janet
May 29th, 2013

book groupA few years ago, I attended my high school reunion, where I reconnected with a number of long lost friends. It turned out that some of them had not only stayed in touch, but had formed a book club with some other friends they’d met after high school, which they invited me to join. I declined, partly because it didn’t fit into my life at the time, but mainly because it had no appeal to me. I’d never been to a book club, but I’d always imagined it to be something like English class, where they would take a perfectly good book and dissect it to death. One of my friends and I began meeting for lunch several times a year, and one topic that often popped up in conversation was the books we’d each been reading. Eventually I decided I’d like to go check out a book club meeting, and once I did, I quickly decided to join.

I’ve listed below the benefits I’ve received from my book club membership, and am guessing at least some of them will appeal to other introverts. Others are specific to my group and my life, but I’m sharing them too.

Intellectually:

I’ve been exposed to a much wider variety of books, and even genres, than I’d have ever chosen to read – or even heard of – myself. These are the titles we’ve read since I joined the group:

  • The Dolphin’s Tooth: A Decade in Search of Adventure by Bruce Kirkby
  • Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
  • On the Outside Looking Indian: How My Second Childhood Changed My Life by Rupinder Gill
  • Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
  • The Irresistible Henry House by Lisa Grunwald
  • Too Much Happiness by Alice Munro
  • The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery, Vol. 1: 1889-1910

This in turn has helped me to realize the value of reading a really good book – one I can sink my teeth into and come away with new insight and not just be entertained. For example, the above reading list has broadened my knowledge about many topics that had never been on my radar, including the work of architect Frank Lloyd Wright and real live “practice babies” that were used to teach mother skills to young women in the mid-20th century. I’m no longer satisfied by novels with predictable plots and uninteresting characters, though I still enjoy the occasional diversion.

Socially:

It gets me out of the house. The combination of working from home, being an introvert, and being married to someone who is even less social than I am can be isolating. Even I need to connect with the outside world every once in a while!

We meet in one another’s homes, so there’s no loud background music or other gatherings that often make it challenging to have a proper conversation in a restaurant or other public setting.

There are only six members, which for me is the optimum group size. When my husband and I go out, we like to visit with one other couple, or two at most. Any more than that, and it’s no longer an intimate gathering, but the makings of a party.

By the way, not all our group members are introverts, but the nature of the group discussions allows everyone to participate in whatever way is comfortable for them.

Personally:

It gets me on the road. The members are fairly scattered geographically, so I have to drive anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes to get to a meeting. I’m not uncomfortable driving, but it’s not often that I leave my own city, and  rare that I go to an unfamiliar place, so it’s good for my confidence to do it once in a while.

I get to cook for someone other than my husband and myself. We entertain even less often than we go out, so although I love to cook, I seldom get to make recipes that won’t work in small quantities or don’t fit into our lifestyle. This gives me a chance to do this.

Due to frequent moves since leaving home, until a few years ago the only people in my life were family members and those I’d met in my current place of residence. Being reconnected to childhood friends has given me an incredible feeling of completeness.

Have you ever belonged to a book group? I’d love to hear about it, including some of the books you’ve discussed.

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Tags : reading, social gatherings
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Insight: Reflections on the Gifts of Being an Introvert

by Janet
February 27th, 2013

Insight: Reflections on the Gifts of Being an Introvert by Beth L. BuelowHave you already read The Introvert Advantage and Quiet? Are you looking for something new to read on the subject of introversion? You’ll probably enjoy this recent release by Beth L. Buelow.

Although not as meaty as the best-sellers mentioned above, Insight contains lots of worthwhile information, both for extraverts trying to gain a better understanding of the introverts in their life and for introverts who may be struggling to find their place in an extraverted world.

There’s an excellent explanation of the difference between shyness and introversion,  as well as an in-depth look at the valuable role that introverts play in society and the business world. Speaking of business, there’s also an entire section devoted to entrepreneurs, which is not surprising, as the book is essentially a compilation of posts from Buelow’s popular blog, The Introverted Entrepreneur.

Because of its bloggy origins, the book is written in a conversational style, which makes it an easy read, especially since each chapter is essentially its own entity. I’d have liked it better had the author taken the time to edit the content thoroughly when converting it into a book, as certain parts just didn’t “feel” right to me. For example, it’s my opinion that “I titled this post…” should have been changed to say “I titled this chapter…” and that “since this is November” should have been changed to “since it was November when I wrote this” (if it was even necessary to keep that part in).

Despite my possibly petty complaints, I found it thought-provoking and well worth reading. It’s perfect to pick up and read a chapter when you have a few minutes between activities, and it’s short enough to read in one or two sittings if that’s your preference.

Have you read Insight: Reflections on the Gifts of Being an Introvert? What did you think of it?

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Tags : book review
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We Are The Introverts [infographic]

by Chris
September 29th, 2012

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Categories Books, General, Introverts at Work, Relationships
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Quiet: The Power of Introverts

by Chris
January 31st, 2012

Introverts may get mistaken for loners, but they are actually just differently social, says author Susan Cain.

Do you enjoy having time to yourself, but always feel a little guilty about it? Then Susan Cain’s “Quiet : The Power of Introverts” is for you. It’s part book, part manifesto. We live in a nation that values its extroverts – the outgoing, the lovers of crowds – but not the quiet types who change the world.

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Kindle!

by Chris
January 2nd, 2012
Amazon's e-reader

At last, an infinity of reading.

Oh Kindle, my Kindle! At long last, I own a Kindle. For those of you who are not bookaholics like me, Kindle is an e-reader from Amazon. It can link up with Amazon and sell you books, which appear on your screen in a few seconds. Best-sellers are $9 but old-faithfuls are $1. Collections of five classics cost a buck.
I was like a kid let loose in a candy shop. In my mind, I was running from treasure (Whitman!) to treasure (Wuthering Heights!), picking and choosing and downloading, reading, rejoicing, and going back for more. I felt bright and happy and active.
But what did I look like? I looked like I was sitting in a chair, staring at a tablet, pressing buttons. I’m an introvert, you see. All of this takes place on the inside. People who don’t know me will mistake this as a good time to interrupt, because if they were sitting silently pressing buttons, they would be bored. But I am not bored, I am enthralled and having the time of my life! This is a very Do-Not-Disturb time. After all, I wouldn’t interrupt you when you’re watching the Super Bowl, would I?
It doesn’t last forever, any more than the Super Bowl does. Although that first time with the Kindle, exceptionally, lasted all night.
Are you an extravert? Do you worry about introvert friends or relatives who go inert? Relax. They’re having fun, on the inside.

 

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Categories Books, General
Tags : Amazon, books, e-reader, Kindle
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Self-Promotion for Introverts ®

by Janet
February 23rd, 2010

A few months ago, I mentioned that I had received a copy of Nancy Ancowitz’s new book, Self-Promotion for Introverts®: The Quiet Guide to Getting Ahead. I’m sorry it has taken me so long to post my review – like many other introverts, I suffer from “so many books, so little time” syndrome, and have only recently managed to read it.

self-promotion for introverts

Since starting my business in 2002, I’ve had quite a bit of experience with networking and public speaking, and am now fairly comfortable with both activities, but I sure wish I’d had a resource like this in the beginning! The chapter on public speaking is especially valuable, and covers everything from exploring your advantages and challenges to preparation and delivery of your message, as well as other topics that I’d never even thought to wonder about, but that are equally important.

As a former career and employment counsellor, I was also impressed with the comprehensive chapter on job searching. Much of the information provided would be equally useful to extraverts (but shhh… let’s not tell them about it!)

I highly recommend this book, if you:

  • are intimidated by the thought of attending a networking event or speaking in public
  • are tired of being passed over by less qualified colleagues who can “blow their own horn” more easily than you
  • are comfortable promoting yourself, but are interested in learning some new strategies

Unlike some self-help books, which offer only motivation or information, Self-Promotion for Introverts® is full of practical exercises to help the reader work through the processes described throughout. The information presented is right up-to-date and includes tools such as blogging, Twitter, and LinkedIn as suggested methods of communication.

Self-Promotion for Introverts® is available from Amazon.com and Amazon.ca.

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Are Introverts More Organized than Extraverts?

by Janet
July 16th, 2009

That is, of course, a silly question. Both extraverts and introverts can be very organized, very disorganized, or anything in between. There are, however, some differences in the ways that introverts and extraverts manage their time and space.

In terms of time management, introverts like fairly long periods of time to focus on their current task. For this reason, they prefer a workspace which allows for privacy and concentration, and view people who stop by or call to chat as interruptions.

Extraverts, however, welcome people stopping by or calling to touch base, and prefer a workspace which facilitates this type of interaction.

Because introverts think before acting, they may be slow to act, and others may view the time they spend processing information as non-productive.

Extraverts are more inclined to jump quickly into an activity, often without allowing enough time for reflection. As a result, they may need to step back and redo some steps, which also hampers productivity.

Introverts may have a tendency to procrastinate regarding activities requiring interaction with others, such as making telephone calls. One thing that works for me is to get those tasks out of the way before I start my other work for the day. I can then relax and enjoy working on the types of projects I prefer, without the knowledge of those pending calls weighing on my mind.

Extraverts often dread such activities as organizing their home or workspace, but this task can often be made more interesting and effective if they work along with a group of people, whether it is friends, professional organizers, or a combination of both.

Introversion-extraversion is just one piece of the puzzle that makes up your personality type, and your organizing style. You can learn more about this subject in my new e-book, Organizing Your Life, Your Way. With this e-book, you can learn about your personality type and the ways it affects your relationship with time and space, and the reason why some people have more difficulty than others getting and staying organized. You will then be able to use your new understanding to develop organizing and time management strategies which work in harmony with your personal preferences.

Organizing Your Life, Your Way!

Because even people who share the same type preferences have their own unique strengths, challenges, and systems that work for them, and because new organizing and time management products are developed all the time, I intend to continue my research and to publish an updated edition of this e-book in the future.

Please take a few minutes to share some information to help other readers to better understand themselves and others, and to develop their own organizing and time management solutions.

Simply go to http://tinyurl.com/your-org-style to answer a few questions. Be assured that no identifying information will be collected.

Thanks!

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Categories Books, Introverts at Work, Type Theory
Tags : extraversion, introversion, organizing style
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Tips from a Professional Networker

by Janet
April 14th, 2008

One of the blogs I like to read is Jay Robb reviews business books, because I’ve always enjoyed Jay’s column in the career section of my local newspaper. He recently reviewed The Connect Effect: Building Strong Personal, Professional and Virtual Networks by Michael Dulworth, President & CEO of Executive Networks.

The Connect Effect

In The Connect Effect, Dulworth shares a wealth of information about effective networking, and because he’s an introvert himself, his advice is much more “doable” than that offered by some other experts. For example, it’s frequently suggested that you set a goal for each networking event that you attend, and an extraverted author might suggest that your goal might be to meet 10 new contacts. I can’t imagine talking to a total of 10 people at a two-hour event, let alone 10 new people! Dulworth’s recommendation is to aim for three or four substantive conversations at your next social event, instead of working the whole room.

For more of Michael Dulworth’s networking tips, read Jay Robb’s review, or better yet, read the book itself!

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Discover the Power of Introversion

by Janet
January 3rd, 2007

Written by Cheryl N.W. Card, the full title is Discover the Power of Introversion: What Most Introverts are Never Told and Extraverts Learn the Hard Way.

The book begins by stating that many Introverts have been extremely successful, including US Presidents, corporation presidents, scientists, and actors, and a later chapter names some famous Introverts, living, dead, and fictional.

It includes tips for creating positive self-image, dealing with Introvert children, and making decisions, building satisfying relationships

Each chapter includes an introversion-related quote – here’s one I really like:

They mean well but they are so social they are nearly hive-minded. They cannot understand that one might wish to be without company.

Wintermoon, in Winds of Change by Mercedes Lackey

It’s only 85 pages, including the Appendix, so it’s a quick and easy read.

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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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