Whenever a teacher would say, “Today, we’re working in groups,†I could feel the dread bubbling in my stomach. For the most part I’ve always preferred working alone, digesting the assignment and slowly making sense of my thoughts.
I also rarely raised my hand in class until I mulled over my response in my mind (over and over). And even then, there were many times I stayed quiet, hands at my sides.
Today, while I love being out and about, I prefer quieter places and I’m happy to stay home with a good book (or two). I love interacting with people, but I have my limits, especially in noisy environments. None of the people who know me would ever describe me as a risk-taker, fierce competitor, quick decision-maker or multitasker. And I’m a much better writer than I am a speaker.
In other words, I’m an introvert.
But I didn’t really realize this or appreciate it fully until I read Susan Cain’s book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. Cain is a former corporate attorney and an introvert.
And her book is an absolute must-read. It’s beautifully written and packed with sound – and often surprising – science and stories. If you’re an introvert, it provides you with a deeper understanding of yourself.
Read in Full:
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/06/08/the-power-of-introverts-qa-with-susan-cain/
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