Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Y’all, something I’ve dealt with my whole life, and I’ve become much more aware of since my Daddy died is my introvert tendencies. I’d heard that term my whole life, but I had never taken the time to actually research to see what being an introvert meant.
Introvert and Extrovert: Nervous System
Everyone’s nervous system has two sides– the sympathetic side “which triggers the fight, fright, or flight” and the parasympathetic side which triggers the “rest and digest” mode. Obviously, the body uses both sides at different times, but introverts favor one certain side….. The parasympathetic side which slows us down and calms us. Introverts use the Long Acetylcholine pathway instead of the shorter dopamine pathway like extroverts. Because introverts use the longer pathway we tend to process information more thoroughly and deeply which sometimes takes us longer to speak, react, or make decisions. This also contributes to our “overthinking”.
So, introverts are not shy; we are not snobby, like people, are very loyal, do not enjoy useless chatter and small talk. We don’t speak just to speak, when we speak you can bet it will have value.
Introvert Recharging
You may ask why would I have chosen a career in sales knowing I have such tendencies? The thing is, I love helping people, and I cannot imagine a life where I wasn’t serving others in some form. I don’t want a life of “sales”. I have a life of helping people by identifying a need and helping solve that need. I’ve been very blessed that I have been able to be paid to do this for almost ten years. It is very draining. People are energy vampires, and for introverts that do not energize in overstimulating situations, it is even more draining. I have to recharge with alone time, and I do a lot of reading, journaling, and thinking.
Be sure to read the post on why you should journal everyday.
I share all of this so that we may be a bit more understanding of our friends, family, and teammates. When passing judgment on why he/she may not be interacting in the group messenger, group page, the family gathering, or party just remember perhaps his/her brain is simply different! That doesn’t mean they are not engaged.
Leading an Introvert
If you want to be a leader, I believe it is extremely important that you learn how to lead both introverts and extroverts to have a successful organization. I can tell you from experience, if you do not lead an introvert in the proper way, they will shut down and you will get zero productivity out of them! Trust me!!! Let us all remember one of the Mandino’s 4 laws of happiness! “Proclaim your Rarity!!!!” God created us, and I know that He makes no mistakes in His creation!
To see if you are an introvert, click below for a quick quiz:
https://introvertdear.com/are-you-an-introvert-quiz
Og Mandino’s God Memorandum