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For many people, a new year also means new resolutions. You may want to start something new or stop doing something that no longer offers value. As an introvert, you can add very specific intentions to this, to ensure that you'll thrive this year. A few suggestions.
Stop adjusting
Many of the introverts I coach tend to be very adaptable. They believe that they need to become more extroverted in order to get ahead. However, this causes them to get even further away from who they are and what they want. Research from the University of Maryland also shows that pretending to be an extrovert can lead to burnout, stress and cardiovascular disease. So embracing your introverted nature is not only a way to feel good, but it is also good for your physical health.
Say no more often
Introverts tend to give more than they take and often find it difficult to say no. Yet it is exactly that which will ensure that you can listen to yourself more and create more space for yourself. After all, saying no to someone else means saying yes to yourself. So feel free to say no to that New Year's drink if you think it will cost you more energy than it will yield. And make sure you consciously plan time for yourself in your agenda, so that you actually have an excuse. Time for yourself is vital as an introvert to recharge.
Stop thinking too much
Introverts think and analyze before they speak, which means they usually come up with deep insights as soon as they speak up. However, it sometimes happens that they get stuck in their heads and think too much about things. That means that they can no longer move forward and are too strict on themselves. Your internal critic may tell you that your idea isn't good enough or that you aren't good enough yet, but there's only one way to find out if he's right: just do it.
Don't write yourself off as a leader
Introversion and leadership are not always directly linked, but as far as I'm concerned that is very unjustified. My own research on introverted leadership and my book of the same name show the benefits of introverted leadership and introversion in general. For example, introverted leaders are very people-oriented and analytical, which makes them very suitable for companies where there is little hierarchy and where self-management is important. So don't ask yourself whether you can be a leader, but see how and where you can best use your qualities as a leader. There are places where you will come into your own perfectly.
Embrace your introversion
Too often I encounter introverts seeing their introversion as a burden. While there are certainly specific challenges, being an introvert also offers a lot of beautiful sides that you can use very well in everyday life. Learning more about yourself and what it means to be an introvert makes it easier to see and use this. This can be done through coaching, but also by reading more about it. The more you know, the more you will be able to embrace your introversion.
Do you want to get started with any of the above? Feel free to contact me to discuss this further.
