Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Are You an Introvert?

A while back, I came across this really interesting article, 10 Myths About Introverts, by Carl at Carl King Creative.

It's kind of scary how accurately many of these myths describe me. At the same time, I feel a little less crazy after reading it. And I think this list would seem very familiar to most writers and other creative folks so I thought I'd share.

Here's a sample:

Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.

This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.

Full article here.

12 comments:

  1. I'm right there with you. I was agreeing the entire time with that article on introverts. So true.

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  2. I am half and half. Sometimes I need to remind myself to shut up!

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  3. Introvert here. Definitely an introvert. :)

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  4. i'm an introvert through and through. here's a good website i found for those of us who are.

    Shrinking Violet Promotions

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  5. I think there's myths about extroverts too. I LOVE being around people and feel energized when I am, which I think qualifies me as an extrovert, but I'm not always very outgoing. I like to listen and watch more than be the center of attention. One on one conversations are definitely the best though. :)

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  6. I think the most helpful distinction is whether being in noisy settings with lots of people recharges you (extravert) or makes you shut down (introvert). I have always been in the latter camp, though I can be pretty outgoing in a lot of settings--but only for so long.

    The brain science is so fascinating! It goes against the personality theory of Carl Jung, who felt one's life goal was to be balanced between the two extremes. I think we introverts can learn adaptive behaviors so we don't look "shy" (or worse, "snobby")--making small talk though it annoys us, in order to move on to deeper discussions we love so much. But at heart, the need to recharge in solitude and connect one-on-one is hard-wired and not something we should have to apologise for. It makes us good a deep friendships.

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  7. I'm a total introvert - not shy, at all (another common myth) as I am completely comforatble speaking to hundreds of people at a time. But yes, I MUST have my solitude for renewal

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  8. Yes, I am- I'm 10 on the introversion scale on the KTS...

    ...and your blog is the prettiest one I've ever seen. Seriously. The art at the top is enough to make me cry. Just amazing.

    ~bru

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  9. Hi new here!

    I think you are right on. Introverts may shy away from initiating conversations but if they are on a topic of their choosing ... watch out!

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  10. Ha! That's totally me : ). Makes me feel less freaky!

    Oh, and wow your blog is really pretty now! How did you do that?

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  11. At the conference this past weekend we were talking about how by the end we're all exhausted b/c half of us are introverts and we're used to writing! :)

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  12. Great post! I agree, don't get me started on something I'm passionate about. LOL.

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