Sometimes I Just Have to Stay on Task
In this day and age of continuous and frequent connectivity, is it really OK to take a break from the on-line business scene for even a week? What if doing so is the best way to get deadline, task-oriented projects done? I have to believe the answer is yes, but still the question tugs at me. I decided to follow my “inner authority” rather than perceived outer pressure, but did take a break to write this post, if only to relieve the pressure a bit. Very “high C” of me. (See DISC description to know what I mean if you don’t. C=Compliance or Conscientious)
I’m mildly nagged by the question, “How can I expect to build momentum if I take breaks?” It doesn’t matter that I know that’s just a bit crazy as most probably haven’t noticed.
I am reminded of a story I told at a workshop I led earlier this year. It is the story of Joan (that’s me) and Martha, two women, same company, same position but on different work teams. Talk about different “workstyles!” No two women could have been more different in temperament. Martha liked to get her work done between talking. Joan often preferred to talk between projects.
Martha used to get really frustrated with me because when I was working – and on task – she thought I was in a bad mood. She would kinda whine when she wanted to talk and I didn’t, sure that I was mad at something, or her. For the life of me I couldn’t convince her that I was, really truly only working. Admittedly, I wasn’t kind to her either. It was not long before I decided she was simply lazy, someone who didn’t like to work. Upon reflection, I just think she is an extrovert and needs more social interaction to survive a day at work.
I know my social networks don’t judge my absence like Martha judged my silence. I suspect, though, that I’m judging myself because at this moment in time I happen to be inclined to keep my head down and my actions on task.
Love and kisses,
Joan
Now, back to the projects I go!
Introversion/Courage Not Mutually Exclusive
Recently, January Jones from the popular TV show, Mad Men, talked about being in introvert when she appeared on Live with Regis and Kelly, and how this characteristic didn’t stop her stop her from pursuing her goals. The hosts asked her about life when she was in high school, wanting to know if she started acting then.** Not really, she said. To help explain she mentioned that she was pretty much an introvert.
One of the hosts picked up on the fact that though she was introverted it didn’t stop her from moving away from her home town in South Dakota – on her own – to New York. She readily agreed, and noted that even though she’s an introvert, she’s also adventurous. Introversion wasn’t a reason to keep her from her dreams.
She’s right of course. Introversion does not always equal shy, nor does it say anything about courage. For many on the introvert side of the spectrum, it is quite simply a trait that indicates we enjoy – and need – our time alone and that we often prefer to think things through before expressing our thoughts out loud. (Prefer might even be inaccurate; it’s most likely unconscious.) It’s just that many of us do better in some situations with a bit of time to reflect first, speak later.
I think you’ll agree that there are some situations that are likely to stop you in your tracks, at least for a short time while you think about the goal or opportunity vs. the “risk” of stepping out of your comfort zone. That’s OK. In a way, your hesitation may serve you well. Because introverts are not as likely to leap into the middle of something without a bit of forethought, we may have an advantage our extrovert friends do not.
One of my friends, most definitely an extrovert, tells me with some frequency that there are some things she has said yes to without much thinking that she really wish she had not.
When we decide to screw up our courage and go for something that scares us a little – yet we really want – we are likely to do it with a clearer picture of what we’re risking, and what we might gain in return. Sure, smack in the middle of it we may wish that we hadn’t (oh why oh why did I say yes?) but we keep going anyway. Collapse and head for the covers later? Probably.
What about you? How many times have you been afraid to do something, yet knew you had to? Looking back, can you see that being introverted did not stop you, and may have even helped you?
Extroverts: do you tend to leap before your look, or is that only true for some? What else comes into play, and how does courage look to you? Is it the courage to say no?
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** Note: It’s been a few days since I watched the episode so I may not have laid out the sequence and specifics of the conversation between January and Regis and Kelly with complete accuracy. It’s so rare to hear a public persona talk about being an introvert I wanted to share it with you.
Info collector – introvert quality or just me?
I keep a pretty lean house but I do collect information. Fortunately, I stopped accumulating more and more books some time ago – now I recycle and keep my load to the room on my existing bookshelves – but paper and notes and files? Fuggetaboudit! I am a junkie.
So, what did I do today? I spent about 3 hours clearing out my one desktop paper basket. It’s about 3 inches high. Careful consideration of each piece of paper put half the content of that basket into the recycle bin pile. About 25% went into actual files and the rest stays put for action. If only I could be as scrupulous before putting that paper into the file bin in the first place. Wouldn’t that save me time and angst?
Now that I’ve – once again – emptied the thing of everything but information or papers about which I’ve determined I still want to do something, can I keep the the content of this lovely wire basket below the 1/2 inch mark? I suppose I could get a shorter basket to shorten the time between accumulation and sorting, but I think it would be more effective if I could take just a little more time and thought before putting stuff in it in the first place! We’ll see.
Introvert Quality or Something Else?
According to the Clifton StrengthsFinder(R) Profile assessment my fifth characteristic/strength is “Input,” which indicates I might collect facts, books, or tangible objects. For the longest time I didn’t know how that applied to me. I did finally figure it out – duh! I collect ideas, notes, books and articles on topics of interest. I also happen to collect rocks and crystals and a few shells. They sit on shelves, my desk and window shelves around my house.
Perhaps the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) doesn’t help answer this question, after all.
I know at least one extrovert who also collects books, information and paper stuff, so I realize that it may not have anything to do with being an introvert. But, I also know that introverts live on the inside with our ideas, so I wonder if there are more of us who collect things of one sort another.
What is your experience with stuff? Introverts and Extroverts are welcome to comment.
Introversion: Advantage in Noisy Marketplace?
Because there is such an incredibly high volume of marketing noise, and a bit of mistrust in the current business environment, an Introvert’s preference for more meaningful connections and private conversations is most certainly an advantage, and one that can be employed for positive results.
Generally speaking:
- We are good listeners.
- We do better connecting with people in a one-on-one business conversation.
- We prefer to ask questions than be in the spotlight.
- We don’t mind taking the time to build a good relationship with others.
- We may not have thousands of followers, but the people on our lists are likely to be people we know well.
Let’s take a look at how this can be used to our advantage in marketing. There are easily 100 marketing activities to choose from, and none of us should ever try to do all of them. We only have to identify those activities that will help us reach and talk to our prospective clients and customers, in a way that is most easy and comfortable for us. The trick is to look to your natural strengths and find a home for them in marketing.
Here are a few examples of marketing activities that can work quite well for someone who is introverted.
Networking Options - If you are just starting out and is uncomfortable with groups, join a Business Networking International (BNI) group rather than a business networking organization. BNI meetings are very structured which works well for the introvert. Weekly meetings can help you build confidence and teach you how to talk about your business, but in little doses.
One caution, though. BNI groups cater to the small business population. If your target clients are not members of that group, consider something like a Rotary Club instead, where the focus is on good causes, but people also talk about business.
Or, join a professional organization where you’ll meet other peers, where the discussions about your profession dominate the conversation. Combine this with attendance at a BNI group and you’ve got a good, consistent, solid networking strategy.
Don’t try to sell your services at a networking meeting. That doesn’t work anyway. Invite people with whom you strike up an interesting conversation, to meet you for lunch or coffee.
Public speaking in a workshop format: If you know public speaking would be a good strategy, do what I did. Teach a well-structured program and start small. Try a group of 5 people, or 10. For several years I only talked to small networking groups where there were just 15-20 people in attendance. With a small group, you can leverage your preference for one-on-one interactions; it’s easy to invite conversation, questions, and other kinds or breaks and interactions.
If you really hate taking the lead in business conversations, get to know and form referral type partnerships with other business people who also serve your target clients. Give them a sample of your work in exchange for a promise that they’ll tell others how you helped them.
If you ever get stuck and doubt your ability to be effective with marketing, think connections instead. If you’re still having a hard time, make a list of at least 10 activities you thoroughly enjoy. Then select 2 or 3 of those activities, the ones you think you could parlay into marketing opportunities and give them a try. Caution: don’t try for just 2 or 3 months, be consistent with your engagement for at least 5 or 6 months. Then assess your results.
Secret to marketing success: know, like and trust. Right up an introvert’s alley if you ask me.
Your Resident Introvert
