Are you shy or an introvert…….or both?

I have also found time to read amongst all this and I have been reading a lot about introversion.  Although some people say that shyness and introversion are two completely separate things, I believe that an individual can be both shy and introverted,  I certainly am.  Here is what the two mean to me;

Shyness – being uncomfortable, nervous or feeling awkward when around other people

Introversion – preferring your own company or the company of just a few people rather than being in large groups.

So, for example, I would prefer to have several small dinner parties with a few guests than throw one big party with lots of guests.

At the party I would feel uncomfortable, shy and anxious, but if just a few of the same guests were attending a dinner party at my house, I would not feel any of these things.

So, my shyness can appear in large groups still, but in small groups I am ok.  And the fact that I prefer small groups would suggest that I am an introvert.

I recently came across a lady named Morra Aarons-Mele, she has written a book called ‘Hiding In The Bathroom’.  I have read some of her blog posts, she has managed to build a successful business with a huge network, but she talks about her anxieties and how she doesn’t like to leave the house if she doesn’t have to. She also points out that a lot of the successful entrepreneurs she has interviewed are not the outgoing, always on it superstars that we imagine.

Reading about her ‘hiding in the bathroom’ reminded me of the days when I used to sit in my car on the carpark when I got to work until the very last possible moment.  

“Every single day I build in lots of breaks and alone time for myself, even it it’s just 5 minutes in a quiet room.”

And I love how she has learnt to embrace her anxiety just like me with my shyness.  She says…..

“Now that I’ve realised my anxiety is part of who I am, and that, rather than fight it all the time, I embrace what it gives me, like excellent people skills, empathy and drive.  I think my anxiety and I are business partners, frequently negotiating, sometimes arguing, but often creating great work.”

The last thing I want to mention is my new ideas journal.  I am currently attempting to write down 10 ideas each day suggested by James Altucher.  Most days I don’t manage 10, but even so it’s a great exercise.  I love it, it really gets the creative juices flowing.  James says that if you can write down new ideas each day you really start to stretch your ‘idea muscle’ which in time will serve you massively.

 

As you probably know, I love journals and any reason I can find to write in a new one is just fantastic!

Don’t forget, if you don’t already have it, you can download a copy of my FREE ebook, ‘The Top 10 Things That Hold Shy People Back From Achieving Success – And what to do about them’