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."

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.