Introverts and Extroverts are Different

It has been said that Introverts are a minority of Americans but the majority of those who are gifted. An old number repeated over and over again over the years estimated that 25% of Americans are introverts and 65% of gifted Americans are. But there has been more recent studies that indicate that it's closer to 50/50. The problem is that our culture has made Extroversion as the best, perhaps only, way to be successful. "It's not what you know, but who you know that's important." Read more about that in Percentage of Introverts article

Because extroversion is associated with success and every one wants to be successful, everyone wants to be like an extrovert. This devalues introversion. The Introvert is often looked down upon or thought of as weird by the extroverted culture. In spite of great success by introverts like Bill Gates.

Self Improvement involves knowing yourself and using that knowledge to make changes in your life. Knowing yourself helps you to make the right changes, or changes in the right way.

Trying to be something that goes against your underlying characteristics is doomed to fail. So knowing if you are an Introvert and what that means is very important.

Being alone is not loneliness

Carl Jung came up with the terms Introvert and extrovert and that they are a built-in personality trait, part of your basic temperament that you are born with.

Extroverts do NOT control the world. It may just seem that they do because they are louder than us. Intoverts can be strong and influential. Famous introverts include Bill Gates, Julia Roberts, Sir Issac Newton, Clint Eastwood, Jane Goodall, Emily Dickinson, Enya, Harrison Ford, Carl Jung, Abraham Lincoln, Isabel Myers and Katharine Briggs.

When I found out about introversion and that I am one. That it's a normal and natural personality trait that I have, I was Greatly Relieved.

Of course I had heard the term before but I never knew what it was or how it could refer to me. I had thought that there was something wrong with me. That I had some sort of disability. I didn't. I was just an Introvert.

I was over forty when I gained this understanding. For awhile I thought I'd make a good hermit. I fantasized about living alone in the middle of nowhere. Dependant only on myself and a monthly trip to town for supplies.

I took up solo backpacking just to get away from people and be self sufficient. I have been in the wilderness for as much as 5 days without seeing another person and enjoyed it immensely.

This shows the extent of my introversion and how overwhelmed I was at that time. I've changed many things in my life since then and no longer need that break. I no longer feel guilty when I turn down an invitation or leave a party early. I just can't let myself get too drained from social contact.

I still enjoy the solo backpacking but am more willing to backpack with a group.

Some of the Definitions of Introvert can be disturbing. Don't allow yourself to fall for these inaccuracies. Learn what introversion really is.

Shyness is different than introversion, although many people use the terms more or less interchangeably. Even an extrovert can be shy. Check out what Shyness is and then read about Overcoming Shyness

Check out some real life examples of the differences between Introvert and Extrovert. You may gain an understanding of an Extroverts need for social interaction. This is valuable for Outies too, so they can understand the Innies in their life.

You might need help making adjustments for dealing with the extroverted world we live in. Some cultures are more geared toward Innies than what we have in the USA. But while we don't promote introversion, we might have the best balance. The world seems to need more 'doers' than 'thinkers'.

There are some advantages to being Introverted. Like having deep thoughts, thinking things thorough, being thorough and making unusual connections between things. Albert Einstein was one of those.

Jobs / Careers that most people think of for introverts is writer or librarian. But we can be almost anything: Actors; Accountants; CEO's; Doctors; Engineers; Lawyers; Musicians; Programmers; Scientist; Speakers; Salesmen; Technicians; TV news correspondent. They just need to be in tune with their need for solitude, thinking and problem solving, and adjust their activities appropriately.

Julia Roberts has said that she takes a nap during lunch breaks while filming a movie, because she's 'a much nicer person that way.'

Thomas Jefferson, while president, didn't speak in front of Congress. He would write out the State of the Union speech and have a messenger take it to congress.

All of this is worth exploring in depth. Learning about your personality type can help you in real and concrete ways Do this with Personality Type Testing.

Comments:

I was different

Comment by Margaret from MD, USA
I am an introvert too and growing up I was different:-) I too do not like being around a lot of people for too long. I am just finding out that too much social activity drains our energy. I thought it was just me.

Thanks for sharing, Margaret

Taking care of myself and being alone

Comment by Thomas from MD, USA
Glad I ran across this article..I've spent the majority of my life wondering why in the world I was so different than other people when it comes to interacting with others..I never thought there was anything wrong with me and I'm not "shy" at all, but even as a kid I noticed that most people seemed to enjoy human interaction and I on the other hand couldn't stand it most of the time. I'm VERY independent and I've always felt like the only person I need is me no matter what the situation.

I know this will sound self centered but one of the reasons I cant stand most people is because I'm very observant to even the smallest things and when I so much as go to the supermarket I constantly see people do things that make me think "wow, I'm glad I can take care of myself..i would never do something that stupid". It's small things like that which make me dislike most people. For example...I'm waiting in line at a convenient store to pay for a soda and the lady in front of me is digging through her purse looking for exact change. Most people wouldn't mind or notice..but I on the other hand will stand there thinking "what an idiot..if it were me I would just hand the cashier $2 and take the 50 cents of change and be on my way already".

Again, I know all of this sounds conceded but these are honestly the things that make me enjoy being alone...no one else to slow me down or irritate me..just me, my thoughts, and peace and quiet. I've read quite a few articles about introvert personalities but yours really hit home when I read the part about you taking solo backpacking trips because that is EXACTLY what I do to get away from others. Like you, I will sometimes spend the better part of a week alone in the wilderness doing what I do best...taking care of myself and being alone. I really enjoy doing this and I can't help but think how if the world ended tomorrow and I was the last man on earth I seriously doubt I would be dying of loneliness anytime soon, unlike most people who need human contact and would go absolutely crazy. Introvert personality certainly has its downfalls at times but for the most part I enjoy it..I see it as a sign of strength in a way and I'm proud of my self reliance and independence. Anyway, thanks for the awesome article and take care!

Thomas,
I am happy you found this helpful.
For me, I have always been exceedingly concerned with how I impact others. I think it was shyness and insecurity that had me so careful. But it is an awareness that I like, as long as I hold my own when needed. I only look for exact change is there is no one else in line. Otherwise, I just give them what I've got and shove the change in my purse to be sorted latter.
- Natalie

I thought I was weird

Comment by Morne from Western Cape Province, South Africa
I didn't know who I was until I read this article. Throughout my life I perceived myself as 'different' to the rest of society, but I couldn't figure out why. This lead to the development of depression, all because I wanted to be like others(meaning extroverts) who are the life of the party and who attracts people to them. Little did I know that that wasn't going to happen any time soon. I was afraid that other people will see me as a loner, a weird guy and thus I struggled to get accepted by the rest of the extroverted fraternity....All the while I have never figured who I was and why I exhibited these strange hermit-like traits. Reading about introversion opened my eyes to who I am - an introvert - and that it is ABSOLUTELY OKAY to be an introvert... I understand myself much better now....

~ Morne

Morne,
I am pleased that you found this comforting and helpful. Others may still see you as a loner or weird because they don't understand. I hope you can teach and show them that to be an introvert is not to be weird. Any more than to be an extrovert is to be rude.
- Natalie

I'm no longer ashamed or embarrassed

Comment by Varney from Liberia
I'm an introvert and I'm no longer ashamed or embarrassed just by reading your article. I really suffered myself when I attended college five years ago. I withdrew from some social activities and only made few friends. I don't fancy popularity and I still spent a considerate time alone and I felt is wasn't right. Now I know it isn't harmful and even the few friends means the world to me. A friend even implied once that whenever I'm in their midst I'm no longer an introvert but an extrovert. I used to constantly relate this to shyness but I don't anymore. Reading your article helps a lot. Thank you and God bless.

Glad to be here

Comment by Neya from Malaysia
Hi Thomas and friends. I am also glad to be here, among these articles and comments. All of the above are so like me. It was just yesterday a friend of mine telling me that I am an introvert person. At first, I did not know the meaning. But the way he told me made me feel there must be something weird about me again that he was trying to tell. He told me the difference between introvert and extrovert. Suddenly I felt like I loose some of my self-esteem...until I came across to your article.

When I read, I feel glad that I am normal and can be loved, need and be an asset too, to other people and society. Plus, I am not alone. There are so many experts, and famous people succeeded with their introvert personality. What ever it is...we should love ourselves more than other people. Although sometimes we wish to be like an extrovert just because we need attention and to be important...it is okay...because...like what you said, people with introvert personality LOVE THINKING and OBSERVING to improve self-esteem. After reading all the above, thanks a lot to all of you guys, that makes me love myself more than others.

Hope we can share more... :)

Welcome Neya!
I'm glad you are here and finding this helpful. It is a real shame when someone criticizes you for something you can't change. But don't take their words as truth! You know you are valuable!

I am in awe of all the people that have found help here from such different places. No matter where in the world we are, we introverts seem to be looked down upon. It's time to make our preferences known!
-Natalie