This summer I went to a seminar that really opened my eyes to the many aspects of my personality that I can now blame on (attribute to) being an introvert.
- Always wanting to cancel when I'm supposed to attend a large group event...always.
- Getting frustrated when my boss stops by my office 5 times a day to give me tasks (interruption really distracts an introvert from getting work done).
- Being confronted (professionally or personally) and having no response, or participating in a meeting where I had no input and then 3 hours later knowing exactly how I would have responded.
- Being told that I don't seem engaged, I'm aloof, I look disconnected...all of these things stem from a mind that just won't shut off (similar to an extrovert having a mouth that won't shut off-I apologize cause that sounds harsh but extroverts are known for talking first and thinking later).
- Hibernating in my cube when everyone else is walking around chatting or gathering in the common space.
- Wanting to eat my lunch really early or really late to avoid running into too many people.
- My inability to say 'no'. Which always keeps me over committed and over worked.
- Cringing when the phone rings and answering a phone call with a text message or an email.
Being an introvert, the best way for me to recharge is to spend an entire day talking to no one and doing nothing. However I'm finding the weekends are just not long enough for me to really give that kind of recharge it's proper justice.
By the way, once I explained to my boss and some of my friends some of these introverted qualities, I noticed them making an effort to meet me where I am and treat my quirks in a particular way so as to improve our interactions.
Today was mostly a good recharge day but then I think about the fact that I really wanted to do some work today...and feel less refreshed knowing I did not and tomorrow could be a busy day because of that.
I'm learning to embrace my introversion instead of hide behind it!!
