How do you know? One of my favorite summaries of the distinctions between introverts and extroverts comes from Nancy Ancowitz in her book Self-Promotion for Introverts. See the following distinctions (from page 2) where the first description describes introverts and the second describes extroverts.
Introverts Extroverts
Get energy from down time, Get energy from people contact
Think before speaking or action, Think out loud
Listen more, Talk more
Speak more softly, Speak faster and louder
More inclined to make deep conversation, More inclined to make chitchat
Prefer to speak with one or two people at a time, Prefer to work the room
Wait to be approached in social situations, Initiate conversations in social situations
Are typically reserved, Are typically active and expressive
Enjoy working alone or with one person, Enjoy working in a group
Know a lot about a few topics, Know a little about a lot of topics
Are reflective and appear more calm, Are more energetic
Are more detail oriented, Prefer faster and less complicated tasks
Need more personal space, Enjoy more people contact – the more the merrier
Are more private and hesitant about self-disclosure, Are more readily open
Have a few deep interests, Have many interests
Which list of attributes describes you more than 50% of the time?
While I know I am solidly in the introvert camp, it was interesting to see in which areas I have some affinity for the extrovert way. I think the introvert-extrovert question is not binary, but, rather, a spectrum, and, today, I was fed by acknowledging some extrovert endencies, as well. Feels like following this blog is helping me celebrate my introvert qualities enough that I can also note when, for instance, I get some energy by contact with others, albeit neighbors I know pretty well. That said, as I read over the list again, it’s pretty clear that my home base is introversion. Aahhhhh – that feels so right. Just add in a little of the other for spice.
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Thank you for providing this distinction. I found so much of myself.
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