7 Habits to Adopt for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 7 Habits to Adopt for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer 7 Habits to Adopt for Introverts Commonly mistaken for shy people who lack confidence and social skills, introverts are actually people who prefer spending time alone or in small groups. Their inspiration, motivation and energy recharge come from being alone in a quiet place. Busy workplaces and big social gatherings can overstimulate them and make them seem awkward and shy. In reality, they just prefer social situations that include spending one-on-one time with their friends in a quiet bar or at home, reading a book. If you are an introvert you have probably discovered these traits in yourself, and maybe you have found a way to make a place for yourself in a world that glorifies extroversion and views introversion as weakness. Research shows that extroverts rate better at happiness scales, and even introverts who act like extroverts show more symptoms of happiness. However, there are still many ways in which you can make your life happier and be more outgoing and successful while still honouring your unique character. Here are 7 habits you can adopt to live a happier life as an introvert. 1. Help Others This will help you get out of your head. Overthinking is a common trait of introverts and can be quite overwhelming. Find a way to be of service to someone without getting anything in exchange. You will feel happier knowing you did something meaningful. Moreover, doing something for someone else will also help you to become more extroverted in a way that is not entirely out of character or uncomfortable to you. By immersing yourself into meaningful and selfless action, you won’t even recognise that you stepped out of your comfort zone. 2. Do the Networking Your Way We know, starting conversations and promoting yourself and your skills isn’t the most natural nor convenient way for you. Yet, it is much needed if you want to prosper in your career and secure a happier life as a professional. Instead of forcing yourself to speak directly to people at networking events, use your best strengths and the digital era to your advantage. Write emails, use social media, or ask your closest friends and colleagues to introduce you. In this way you are being proactive about your career and true to your personality. 3. Embrace Your Introversion Despite the recent interest society has shown in introverts, extroverted personalities still tend to be considered more socially acceptable and viewed as better suited for certain positions. This often leads to introverts seeing their temperament as something negative or unwanted. However, introversion is actually a part of your personality that makes it unique and beautiful, since it provides more insight, better attention to details, better listening strategies and many more benefits. Realising this will help you appreciate and embrace your introversion as a valuable addition to the colourful and diverse set of human characters. 4. Help Others to Get to Know You Better In order to avoid the sometimes awkward social situations or coming off as rude or uninterested in other people’s lives or opinion, be honest and upfront with them and tell them that you are an introvert. You will save yourself from overthinking each word you say to someone. Furthermore, you will turn a social situation to your advantage, since opening up to someone will make room for more meaningful conversations, the ones you most likely enjoy as an introvert. Finally, speaking to your family or close friends about your introversion can help them understand you and your actions better, which will make your relationships closer. 5. Utilise Your Introspection Use your most prominent character trait as your most powerful weapon that can serve your career, your personal life and your creativity in general. As you are used to acquiring energy through reflection, introspection and doing creative activities that require being alone and mindful, use it to get inspiration to develop new creative ideas. No matter what your job or personal life is at the moment, your favourite pastime activities such as reading, writing, listening to music or doing mindful meditation practice can be a valuable source for generating new ideas. Make sure to write down your thoughts and new ideas as they appear. 6. Travel Again, use your character to bring more happiness to yourself and to the people around you. As the naturally skilled planner you are, you will most likely enjoy developing a perfect plan for the most amazing trip for yourself and your family or friends. It is a widely known fact that planning a trip increases our happiness levels even more than the actual experience. Furthermore, travelling can boost your wellbeing, happiness and confidence in a number of ways. It helps you to be more comfortable in social situations, since it creates more opportunities for meeting new people and starting conversations. Experiencing different cultures, people and customs provides a better perspective and makes you less self-conscious and more accepting of yours and others’ characters. Choose destinations that will allow you to both mix with others if you feel like it, and yet leave room for alone time as well. My personal recommendation would be the Algarve, which offers plenty in terms of relaxation, culture and fresh experiences. 7. Challenge Yourself Once in a While Try to act as an extrovert just to see how you would feel. The mentioned research suggests that acting extroverted makes people happier. Try to start a conversation with a barista, someone on the train or while waiting in line. Challenge your comfort zone, not because there is something wrong with being an introvert, but to understand yourself better. Author: Rebecca is a translator by day, and a traveler mostly at night. She is an expert on living with jet lag â€" and packing in tiny suitcases. You can read more of her exploits at RoughDraft. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer