The eight reasons why introvert is OK!
November 26, 2007
Many times, introverts felt that something is wrong with them. This happens especially when they are in the middle of crowd, among the extroverts. Many people are saying that introverts are bad and extroverts are good.
I read a book from Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D, titled “The Introvert Advantage” and it gives me a lot of insights to be thankful for the introvert character. The introverts have advantages and they are supposed to make use their uniqueness instead of resenting them.
These are the 8 reasons that I have compiled on why introvert is OK!
1. Introverts are not antisocial
The first wrong assumption that people have about introverts is that they are antisocial. But it’s not true! Introverts do enjoy the time with people and especially the one-on-one conversations.
Introverts have social skills, they like people, and they enjoy some types of socializing… Introverts enjoy one-on-one conversations, but group activities can be overstimulating and drain energy.
Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D
2. Introverts enjoys being alone to recharge their energy
Introverts are like a rechargeable battery… extroverts are like solar panels.
Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D
Summarizing what Marti said, this is also a key distinction of introverts from extroverts. Introverts are rechargeable batteries who need to stop expending energy and rest in order to recharge, while extroverts are solar panels who need the sun to recharge, they need to be out and about to refuel and recharge themselves.
3. Introverts may not good verbally, but they can become good listeners.
The next time you’re intimidated because you’re not talking a lot, remember this quote:
If nature intended us to talk more than listen, she would have given us two mouths and one ear.
Anonymous
4. Introverts are self-reflective and good learner
Rob from BusinessPundit.com, sharing a great article about networking for introverts. In one of his tips, he mentioned about the strength that introverts must use on learning and improving on their networking skills; that is their intuition and analytical skill. That is a great advantage for introverts to learn a new skill.
Introverts are intuitive and analytical. Use that skill. What is working? What isn’t? Where do you get the most bang for your buck?
5. Introverts are thoughtful
Extroverts are like lighthouses, focusing their beacon outward toward the world. Introverts are more like lanterns, radiating a glow inside themselves.
Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D
Introverts have lots of thoughts and ideas, many are creative, but many are ashamed to share their thoughts to the world. They are lantern who is radiating a glow inside themselves. What they need to learn is to make their lantern transparent; that is the least they need to learn, the confidence to share their thoughts to the world.
6. Introverts are not necessarily shy
As I explained above, introverts enjoy meeting people, sometimes one-on-one, and sometimes in a group. But shy people are not, shyness is the result of their lack of confidence. Remember that introverts do not necessarily shy.
7. Introverts value being authentic
This might be the reason why the introverts do not like to talk much when they have nothing to say, they are just authentic, they do as who they are and what they believe. That makes them into a person who holds fast to their principle. They are not a people-pleaser, and they have a great potential to become a person of influence, someone who bring changes to the communities around them.
8. Introverts are capable to shine as well
Marti Olsen also compiled some of the public figures who are introverts, such as Emmy award-winning Diane Sawyer, award-winning actress Joan Allen, Julia Roberts, and also Albert Einstein. Here is her conclusion about their life:
So introverts are definitely not wallflowers. However, what drives introverts onto center stage is often different from what drives extroverts. Introverts come into the limelight because of their quest for work that has meaning to them, an unusual talent, or extraordinary circumstances.
Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D
In conclusion
It’s okay to be introvert, turn your introversion into your strength, and turn your limitation into advantages. For example, as a self-reflective and thoughtful person, you can come out with great analysis and creative ideas. Learn to share them with the world; you will not know how much your thought can be a blessing for others before at least you try.
I recommend the book from Marti Olsen, The Introvert Advantage, to learn more about how introverts can thrive in the extrovert world. And here is her homepage to get more resources.
Enjoy your uniqueness!
For your success,
Robert
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18 Comments-->
Dear Robert -
Some of us, rather than be called an Introvert, prefer to consider ourselves discriminating.
As I have gotten older, I do not like to be a guest at a big party anymore. Nobody says anything! All small talk and you don’t get to know anyone. And yet, I am not really any introvert. I can do it if I have to. It’s just a waste on my valuable time!
Good article!
“If nature intended us to talk more than listen, she would have given us two mouths and one ear.”
I just love that quote.
And I really enjoyed this post, it showed some great insight into introverts! (lol) But I guess that on some level, everyone is an introvert. Nonetheless thanks again for a great post.
Alex
Hi Corinne & Kay,
Glad that you enjoy the post, thanks for the comments!
Nice post! I’m an introvert and can testify to the truth of these statements.
Hi Sol, thanks for the comment =)
Interesting post - as a lifelong introvert I have no desire to change. Being an introvert is not the same as being passive or insignificant. I often say I like the sound of other peoples voices as well as my own.
Hi David,
I like what you said on this:
“I like the sound of other peoples voices as well as my own.”
Thanks for the great comments!
Robert
[...] 8 Reasons Why Introvert is OK! - If you’re an introvert, this article will help you understand that you’re, well, OK. If you aren’t, it may help you understand those of us who are. [...]
The part about being authentic reminds me of a quote I read the other day: “It’s better to write for yourself and have no audience than to write for an audience and have no self.” Obviously we could get carried away with that, but what’s the point of writing if it doesn’t change our own lives? And if we can touch ourselves that deeply, there might be some kindred spirits out there that will be touched, too.
“Introverts come into the limelight because of their quest for work that has meaning to them, an unusual talent, or extraordinary circumstances.” That’s the quote that touched me the most deeply. I’ve gone to workshops where we were supposed to set goals and envision the rewards we would receive when we achieved them. For instance, if you wanted to write envision the finished book in your hand, the accolades you would receive. That always turned me off. My vision was to be fully immersed in my work, enjoying the process. I gave up on workshops and wrote in my journal instead.
Thanks for a moving post.
Hmm. I usually sign myself Jean Browman–Cheerful Monk, but that seems to be more characters than your site can handle.
Thanks Jean for the great insights in the comment.
I like the quote “It’s better to write for yourself and have no audience than to write for an audience and have no self.”
Thanks for sharing!
I just knew about this limitation in my site, thanks for letting me know.
I’ll see if I can fix it.
Loved the title itself
I really liked the saying “If nature intended us to talk more than listen, she would have given us two mouths and one ear.”… well that’s something new… must say this is an excellent post… a great insight in the world of introverts…(where no one else is allowed to peep 
yes I have to agree with the point that introverts are more analytical thinkers… it’s because they do not waste their energies talking a lot… instead they sit and observe all what is going around them quietly and silently and then examine things… from their perspective
Hi WebDrops, thanks for your comments. Credit to Marti Olsen Laney, that has inspired me to write this post!
I really like what Jean wrote in her comments. I was moved so deeply recently by Zana Brinksi’s Academy Award Winning Documentary, “Born Into Brothels.”
Here she was, a photographer (sometimes depicted as demure, shy, quiet….possibly an introvert–lol) going to live in the brothels of Calcutta, India in Sonagachi. She was going to do her own photo work and felt an inner calling to help the children.
It wasn’t her intent to go there to save these kids, but she felt drawn to do something that would help empower them and get them out of a life that seem destined for illegal activity.
In turn, what started as an “introvert’s” job of taking pictures of life in the Red Light District, transformed into a world-wide non-profit organization that is raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for educating children in the red light district, building a boarding school, and inspiring other photographers to work with the organization in other countries with marginalized youth.
An amazingly moving story of an “introvert’s” work bringing them world-wide attention.
Her non-profit is called kids-with-cameras.org. You can buy books, the prints of the the children’s artwork, read updates about the children and make donations for the cause.
A wonderful story!!!
Hugs,
Megan
http://www.TheLawofAttractionStation.com
Hi Megan, thanks for sharing your story, it’s really great to read stories on how makes use their ability, talents, and influence, in whatever forms it might be to make the world a better place.
I have a friend who is very much interested in photography as well, and he joined many missionary occasion, taking pictures to touch other people in helping out the missionary organization!
Each of us has talent, make full use of them!
Thanks for sharing!
Robert
The Introvert Advantage is one of my all-time favorites! As a happy introvert-I like it for personal reasons but I’ve also used it professionally working with children in an inpatient psych unit. It’s SO hard to explain to parents who push their children to be someone they aren’t that being an introvert is ok, that it’s not the same as being shy, and all the other myths you’ve debunked! AWESOME blog-I’ll be back:-)
Kara’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday…not quite
[...] benefits of blogging to your personal growthThe eight reasons why introvert is OK!The five myths about finding a mentorWelcoming aging with smileHow to avoid busyness #2: The [...]
Hi Kara, thanks for your comment. Welcome to my blog.
Thanks for sharing how useful that book is for your profession work. The book also mentioned that there are more extroverts than introverts, extroverts are seen more than introverts. That might be one of the reason why they seem not normal.
Glad that this article and blog can help too! Do subscribe either via RSS or email to keep you updated.
Thanks,
Robert