Have you noticed in the stores we’ve jumped right from Halloween to Christmas holidays? What’s missing in this picture? This year there is little decoration and still little sign of turkey and all the stuffing. But doesn’t that have the potential for us to be all the more grateful?
That’s what I love about Thanksgiving. It’s not crowded in the gratefulness arena.
This morning my pastor was talking about knowing our identity in light of God’s love. That got me thinking about how once an introvert can figure out who they are, then they can also figure out how to better navigate when happenings are more extroverting.
There’s no need to apologize, there’s no need to struggle with situations, and we, and anyone around us, can be happier being grateful for who we are.
5 top introvert traits we can be grateful about:
A mind like a playground.
To get and stay focused is relatively easy. One year at a sales meeting, when I was a sales manager, I was role-playing a follow-up sales call with my boss. We each had a prop telephone. One of the salespeople in attendance blurted out a question – not in the script. I cupped the mouthpiece as if the staged conversation were real to answer them! Almost instantly we were all laughing!
Being able to tune things out when focus is needed often helps me to be able to find more peaceful headspace. It’s something I’m most grateful to be able to do.
Often slow to respond.
Sometimes I take my sweet time to reply to email, a Twitter post or the like. Even when talking with friends or attending a business meeting, it’s quite common I will join a face-to-face conversation late in the process.
This works for me because I usually have more questions before I want to share my perspective. It allows me to often take idle talk deeper. There have not been any complaints so it must land well with even my extrovert circle.
Less pressure to party.
When I was in my 30s life and business seemed to move from a happy hour to a party and back around again. The pressure to attend was enormous, unless I wanted to put up with all the conversation around me not showing up. “What’s the matter, anti-social?” “Don’t you like us?” “Are you always this serious?”
It took years to develop my confidence in saying “No,” to more and more invitations. Today I don’t have to think twice to turn down an invitation if my energy is drained or I just feel I’d rather be alone. It’s easier to – just say no. And my larger circle of acquaintances knows now, not to push.
Preference to work alone.
What makes me strong in my authenticity is I know who I am. [Tweet “If as an introvert you try to be more like an extrovert it can be like going through a revolving door with a surfboard – difficult”] If as an introvert you try to be more like an extrovert it can be like going through a revolving door with a surfboard – difficult to stay true to yourself without compromise. In some of my coaching and speaking, I’ve found some introverts would rather struggle trying to be more extroverted then discover their strengths and let them guide them more smoothly.
I know who I am.
What makes me authentically strong is I know who I am. If as an introvert you try to be more like an extrovert it’s can be a little like going through a revolving door with a surfboard – difficult. To stay true to yourself means you know what you can and cannot compromise on. In some of my coaching and speaking, I’ve found some introverts would rather struggle trying to be more extroverted than to discover and then allow their strengths to lead them. I’m grateful for knowing a more resilient way.
Do you have a specific personal trait to add to 5 Top #Introvert Traits We Can Be #Grateful About? Can you tell us about it?
Patricia, I just love this post! What a happy place you have gotten to by knowing your strengths and more importantly, knowing how to maximize them! Every time I think I know exactly who I am, something shifts and I find myself on a path to discovery once again. I can’t deny that at my age, I find this a bit confusing…I feel compelled sometimes to adapt, be more flexible lest I am saddled with the moniker..old inflexible fogey! LOL! I think I am most grateful for my solid commitment to truth. This has not always served me well, mind you. A lot of folks simply don’t like hearing the truth. But I can sleep at night.
Brilliant Jacqueline – it’s about maximizing what you know are your strengths. Then you don’t have to even give a second thought to your weaknesses. I can so totally relate to a journey of discovery being filled with surprises. I love that about life though! Thanks.
Most of us seem to be a combination of extrovert and introvert. When I was enjoying myself with the jet set I sometimes just could not handle yet another gala and said no. Not to mention being stuck on a yacht or private plane and not want to talk to the people you are with. Then another day I would be happy on the yacht and flying with those people.
Personally think we should take time to answer an email and not feel the pressure to reply immediately. Thinking things through can make a huge difference.
So right Catarina. Most of us really are those ambiverts, you know? Right in the middle, and still with a preference toward innie or outie behaviors. You are quite the jet setter and I’m delighted to know you. Thanks.
My imagination saves my sanity time and again. It serves as the basement that I don’t have but wish I did. Sometimes being at home isn’t far away enough from the noise of the world. Hobbies that use my creativity hold and soothe me. They make my world right. Every gift, talent, or achievement I have is on loan from The Most High, without whom I am nothing.
Deidre, isn’t creativity a true gift? I love the perspective you offer about it being something that steers you in the way of making the world right. Truly a gift to be grateful for. Thanks.
I agreed with all you said. I am quite an introverted mind….it took me awhile to accept that and stop trying to be so extroverted as doing so didn’t make me happier!
Noelle it sounds like you are in a much better place now. Happiness and joy are within our reach upon acceptance. That’s not to say accept anything old thing, but acceptance in the knowing there is nothing wrong with us. Thanks!
The personal trait I am most grateful for is that I am strong in the face of adversity. I am not going to discuss here the problems I’ve encountered but I have overcome – through faith – each and every obstacle. For that I am truly grateful.
Big one Lenie – faith hand in hand with strength. Totally something to be grateful for. Thanks for bringing that one into the discussion.
Getting to know yourself takes a few years and eventually it sneaks up, taps you on the shoulder, and says hi…how ya doing. For me that took a long time but these days I no longer, like you, feel the need to adhere to peer pressure, go out when I don’t want to, or do anything that I am not really in the mood for. Fortunately I am usually in the mood for most things so that helps. I think the trait I am most grateful for is calmness; it helps in many situations.
Tim I just had to smile in your comment about – takes a few years. For me it’s more like a couple of decades! LOL. Ahh, to have calm. I know how both helpful and healthy that one is. Thanks.
I think because of growing up with a bipolar mother, I ended up accepting a lot of my introvert tendencies much earlier than many people do. It’s hard to explain why, but seeing everything she went through taught me a lot about valuing one’s traits regardless. I like that I’m not quick to talk someone’s head off. A person knows when I mean something because I don’t usually jabber away to fill dead space.
Jeri, hahaha, I bet some people are grateful for you NOT talking their head off. I know I would be! I think I understand the bipolar issues to a degree but certainly, growing up with a parent suffering from it likely brings lessons galore. Thanks.
I’m not sure if I’m am ambivert or an introvert. Either way, I treasure my sensitivity particularly regarding others. I always look for the best in others. 🙂 And I like working alone too. Speaking aloud in groups is my worst nightmare.
Jenny if you are curious about ambivert or introvert, and you search online for “ambivert online assessment” you’ll find a couple. Fairly accurate. I’m certain your sensitivity to others means people regard you as being one kind and caring person. Awesome. Thanks.
Thanks for your reply! 🙂
Hi Patricia, a couple of the personal traits of mine that I am most thankful for are the gift of patience and perseverance. Without either of those traits I probably would never have had the courage to start my blog/writing or the ability to keep going. 🙂
You know Susan, I’ve seen that perseverance in you through your highly successful blog. Thanks.
Wow, this is almost exactly what I’ve been thinking for the past week – some stores were carrying Christmas decorations before Halloween! I guess we should be grateful it only comes once a year : )) But as usual, you make some excellent points. Sometimes we’re so busy living up to other peoples’ expectations that we forget to live up to our own. There’s that famous quote by Hillel, “if I am not for myself, who will be for me?” I truly believe this! It’s about as close to a personal mantra as I have – have the confidence to make choices and decisions that are right for you, and the rest falls into place!
Wow Krystyna way to go with gratefulness: I’m grateful these winter holidays come just once a year. Love that. I love that quote myself.Thanks.
These are really great points! This is my favorite line: What makes me authentically strong is I know who I am. You kind of make me wish I was more of an introvert, but I guess that wouldn’t be embracing who I am!
Bingo bingo Meredith – that is funny. But you know, you could still be an extrovert and think, “What makes me authentically strong is I know who I am.” It’d still work I think. Thanks.
Hi Patricia!
I love this Post! Accepting with gratitude who you are is the only point from which we can bloom. I was a late bloomer, When I was in my teens, I never seem to have “it” whatever that was everyone else seem to own except me. Years later I met up with a friend from high school,who told me in high school she envied the way I fit in with different groups. Her statement made me realize that I was drawn to the individualistic qualities of people and personalities and one of the main reasons I studied psychology. She was right I didn’t “fit” in one group which acted one way and that was OK.
Strong points and great stuff to ponder on “gratefulness”. We sometimes see all the negative and wrongs and not the good we possess. And as an introvert you said it well. I am grateful for calm and composure in the midst of chaos when things do not seem right and organized I can still be able to think how to proceed without losing it.
I used to work in the hotel travel industry and spent a lot of time working travel shows around the the world, and my preference to avoid partying saved me time and again. So many of my peers felt the need to go out and party after a show was over and after the first few times tying to be “one of the guys” I passed. Oh they gave me a hard time at first, but once they realized I wasn’t just being aloof there was no problem. But I clearly remember the pain and suffering so many of them exhibited the morning after their partying and I was feeling energized and ready to go! 🙂
Patricia- Staying true to yourself is important whether you are introvert or extrovert. My personal strength area is honesty. I do not lie so if you ask me a question you will get an honest answer. This trait has helped me earn respect in business and social life. I hear people say to me all the time, what you see, is what you get.
I too can sometimes be slow to respond. I need to think about things. In some situations that is a good thing. In a face to face situation, people can see from my face I’m engaged in the conversation and thinking. I once worked in a environment with team members spread out geographically and we did a lot of telephone conference calls. People could tell from my the silence whether I was thinking or even still there. I learned to say something to let them known I was still there and thinking.
Donna those telephone conference calls can either be our enemy or friend. Sounds like you have made it your friend and it’s definitely been helpful for you! Thanks.
Pat, I like how you appreciate the gratitude associated with Thanksgiving!
If I were to talk of a trait for which I am grateful, creativity comes to mind. However, I find it both a blessing and a curse. A curse, because I have a hard time doing boring tasks for too long. A blessing, because when I finally do find a creative activity that is productive and rewarding, the inner gratification feels so good!
Leora creativity opens up to so many more things to be grateful for doesn’t it? Thanks.
I really like this article; while I wouldn’t say I’m 100% introverted, I do express introverted tendencies. But I agree that these tendencies are helpful; I have spent plenty of time analyzing my capabilities and my work process, which has allowed me to understand how I do work. I know that making outlines and processes of everything helps me accomplish any task, and I feel that this level understanding can only come from someone who isn’t always putting themselves out there.
Rafael, none of us in 100% extrovert or introvert; just all varying degrees and most of us in the middle. Congratulations for recognizing and to be able to be grateful for your tendencies. Thanks.
Some of the traits of an introvert that we should be thankful for are also traits which others look down upon us. I think everything is that way, your blessings can be your curse, it is just the way you look at them, identify them, and then embrace them and use them to your advantage.
Spot on William. It’s kind of a catch 22 but one that I am happy to live with. Thanks.
I am not yet sure if I am introvert or extrovert… still searching.
I am thankful to God for giving me Faith on Him. I know He is most merciful and knows everything. In hardest times of my life, I try not to lose hope and stay calm and look towards Him for guidance. This trait is also a gift from my God and I am thankful for this.
I love all the points in post and it is good that mind should be open like a ground. It can help get many ideas.
Andleeb just do an internet search for – online introvert and extrovert assessment. There is a wonderful free one at digitalcitizen.ca and it’s highly accurate. God certainly is our answer to keep hope and stay calm. Thanks so much for expressing that gratefulness.
Yes. I identify with all those items you noted. I find it more difficult to socialize outside of a work environment. Why? Because I like my alone time to get my energy back. So I think my best personal trait is to be social at work.
You have it soooo together Cheryl. And I totally understand. That’s one reason I have just a few close friends – my energy is safe around them. Thanks.
I’m slow to respond. I like to take my sweet time even when there’s silence in the air. That sometimes irritate some, though.
I’m grateful for this post!
Thanks for stopping in here Matt and taking time to comment. Sounds like an introvert trait to be grateful for.
Sorry Im late to this comment party Pat. But what a lovely post, and you really pinned down for me that it’s Okay to be grateful for who you are, rather than who you feel you should be. I’m grateful I’ve come to terms with my (dis)abilities, and no longer (mostly) feel jealous when I see people running or cycling. I just can’t physically do those things anymore because of joint problems, and I’ve come to accept that (gosh after 15 yrs you think i would eh?!!). But I’ve found things I can do – like reading, writing & painting, playing my ukulele et. and thats the things I enjoy now. Thanks for reminding me of whatI’m grateful for. Happy Thanksgiving:-)
Pat — you have gained such confidence in yourself. You definitely know who you are. I think I do, too. Some of it is just because I’m older and wiser — a cliche but true. I know what I need to be happy. I’m accepting of my faults — at least I hope I am. Just because we’ve learned to say “no” doesn’t make us bad people!
This is so true. Once you know yourself, it is easier to be happy and content. I’m an introvert, although I had never heard of it until about a year or so ago. I like knowing that there’s loads of us! 🙂
Christine by the last statistics of the providers of the MBTI, introverts are 51.3% of the population. So be happy in THAT!