7 Secrets Successful Introverts Apply to Thrive in an Extraverted World
The world favors extroverts, but that doesn’t mean you need to fake being extroverted to succeed. If you’re an introvert, you can do a couple of things to flourish despite the odds stacked against you.
Our world is smitten with extroverts.
And why wouldn’t it be? They are confident, charismatic, outgoing, and generally just the life of the party — all traits that our society holds in high regard.
Compared to them, we introverts can seem shy and aloof at best — or rude and antisocial at worst. It also doesn’t help that our culture has evolved a clear preference for extroversion.
As an introvert in such an extrovert-centric world, competing with our more social counterparts can feel difficult, if not downright impossible.
Luckily for you, we’ve unearthed seven tips that you can apply to not just catch up but even overtake your extrovert buddies; and all this without having to change your glorious, introverted self.
7 Tips to Help Introverts Thrive in a World Made for Extroverts
Although a personality assessment can help you learn a lot more about yourself, introverts don’t need a test to know who they are. We can feel it in our bones every time we walk into a crowded room. It’s that feeling in our gut when we have to make a presentation.
It’s not that we lack confidence or don’t believe in our abilities, it’s that our core personality is just built differently.
The goal of an introvert shouldn’t be to try to “fit in” but rather to learn how to thrive while capitalizing on your strengths.
Here are 7 tips to help you thrive as an introvert.
Understand What Introversion Really Is and Embrace It
There are a lot of misconceptions about introverts, but one of the most prevalent is that introversion equals being shy and having no social skills.
Not true!
I’ll admit that introverts won’t be the first to strike up conversations with strangers. Still, we are more than capable of carrying on meaningful discourse or speaking in public just as well as any extrovert.
The only difference is that introverts need ample downtime to recharge their social battery after such periods of high stimulation. That doesn’t make you a snob, a loner, or boring.
You simply have a lower threshold for stimulation, and that’s okay.
I learned this lesson the hard way back in high school while trying hard to be like my extroverted friends. For about a week, I cultivated many new relationships but quickly realized I didn’t have the energy to maintain them. Ultimately, I couldn’t keep up the pace and only hurt myself and others.
You can avoid a similar experience by understanding what introversion means for you and accepting yourself for who you are.
Seek Out Like-Minded People
Seek out people who share your traits and interests. It may feel counter-intuitive to your introverted nature at first. However, since they are fellow introverts, they will understand your need to recharge after social interaction.
You can use your newfound community to forge deep and meaningful connections you can leverage in your professional and social life. Or, it could be an opportunity to vent about things that only introverts understand.
Either way, you’ve got a supportive and accepting community to rely on whenever needed.
You may want to read: Tips to Help Introverts Build Strong Friendships
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
A misconception persists among introverts — that some jobs, such as those in management and consulting, are the exclusive domain of extroverts.
That is simply not true. Even though these jobs and careers often require extrovert personality traits, nothing prevents you from learning them and excelling just as well. After all, personality is equal parts biology and learning. Any introvert can learn to thrive with the right training, even in extroverted careers.
An example of where this played out is in the field of leadership — previously thought to be the sole playground of extroverts. However, a study put this assumption to the test and dispelled it! After analyzing over 900 top company leaders, the CEO Genome Project found that introverts actually made better CEOs than the extroverted ideal beloved by recruiters.
Don’t let your introversion become a crutch limiting your growth. When you encounter an opportunity requiring you to be outgoing, charismatic, and sociable, don’t just dismiss it out of hand. Instead, take the time to consider whether it is genuinely beyond your capabilities or if you’re simply afraid to take on the risk.
Don’t Commit to More Than You Can Handle
Push the envelope, but don’t burst it.
Getting out of your comfort zone is essential. But knowing your limits and setting clear boundaries are equally important.
Taking on more engagements than you can realistically handle is a surefire way to wear yourself out and even cause burnout. It’s much better to say “no,” or “maybe” than to make commitments you won’t be able to keep.
You can limit yourself to one or two social engagements per week. When you do attend, pay attention to your energy levels. Don’t feel guilty about turning down an invite. Instead, be honest and explain that you need alone time to recharge. They might not get it, but it’s step one in helping them understand your differences.
Capitalize on Your Introvert Gifts
Being an introvert comes with some pretty sweet perks. For example, while we might not be social butterflies like our extrovert counterparts, we excel at making deep and meaningful connections with the people we meet.
One could argue that’s a better trait for networking because, in the end, while the extroverts are sorting through piles of business cards, introverts will have the ones that matter.
Another area where introverts shine is creativity and brainstorming — as long as it’s not in front of a crowd. Introverts tend to be meticulous, so while you may not be the first to suggest an idea, that doesn’t mean you’re bad at it. You may prefer to incubate your ideas and work out the kinks before presenting them to others.
Another good read for you: 7 Tips And Tricks for Introverts to Ace Their Next Interview
Incorporate Alone Time Into Your Schedule
For introverts, the key to navigating social situations is maintaining our energy levels throughout them. That means regular breaks after periods of high stimulation to ensure that we don’t get worn out or overstimulated.
It doesn’t have to be anything grand. A simple walk or ten minutes alone in your office can do wonders for your energy levels and give you the strength to tackle the rest of the day.
Carve Out Your Niche to Be Who You Are
As introverts, we constantly try to find our place in this extrovert-centric world. But what if we stopped trying to fit the mold and just…made our own?
It’s a tall order, but it’s far from impossible. Besides, we don’t need to change the whole world. A small slice will do.
You can start with the little things like surrounding yourself with people who share your traits and interests or advocating a work culture that encourages collaboration but also respects privacy.
Before you know it, you’ll have your little slice of introverted heaven where you can go to escape the pressures of the extroverted world.
Thriving as an Introvert
Despite what popular opinion, the educational system, and job recruiters would have you think, being introverted is not a drawback, and you don’t have to fake being extroverted to succeed. You can be your best and brightest self while cherishing alone time and self-reflection.
The world is geared against us, sure. However, you can still thrive and flourish as long as you remember to embrace your introverted self. Make full use of your introverted gifts, and factor in lots and lots of alone time.
Author Bio — Demilade Adejola, BrainManager Team
Demilade Adejola is currently working on his Bachelor of Law degree at the University of Lagos. He has always nurtured a curiosity about the human mind. He is fascinated by the interplay of environment and personality on behavior and is always looking inwards to better understand his.
Using the insight he’s garnered, as well as expert research, Demilade creates content that helps people understand why they act and feel the way they do — and how they use that information to their benefit.
