Stop Using “I am an Introvert” As An Excuse

Those of you who are introverts are pissed right now.
You are saying “How dare she say that to me!”

My opinion: Personality tests are stupid.

I have taken my share of them, and I don’t like them.

They put me in a box and then I use that label as an excuse for why I can’t, or won’t, do x, y, or z.

They put you in a box too, and give you an excuse just like me.

I am a so-called extrovert.

That means that I should feel comfortable putting myself out there.
That I shouldn’t ever have to deal with fear of what others think.
That I shouldn’t ever have to deal with feeling insecure or lacking confidence.

All of which is BS.

I am often uncomfortable with people.
I am almost always afraid of what people think.
I am quite often insecure and lacking confidence.

You, on the other hand, might be an introvert, so you should just stay at home, right?
You should stick behind your computer screen and connect where you are comfortable.

Whether you are an introvert or extravert, that label keeps you safe, while at the same time limiting your potential.

The truth is, you have a choice.
I have a choice.

Every moment of every day you can choose to be whomever you want to be.

You can chose to be extraverted.
You can chose to be outgoing.
You can chose to be confident.

Or you can chose to be introverted.
You can chose to be shy.
You can chose to be reticent.

When I work with people around confidence I often hear some form of, “I can’t do that, I am too shy,” or “I can’t go to networking events, I am too introverted,” or “I can’t do that, it just isn’t who I am.”

The thing is, as an extravert and I say and think those same things too.

Most of the time, it doesn’t work for me.

How is it working for you?

Are you getting what you want out of life?
Out of your career or business?
Out of your relationships?

So, I ask you to look at areas of your life where you are struggling, and see if you might be using “being an introvert” or “being an extravert” or “it’s not me” as an excuse to sit back rather than take action. To judge, rather than connect.

Whether an introvert or extravert, we all have to be vulnerable to grow and connect.

And it is only through being vulnerable again and again, that we can get more comfortable being vulnerable.

So stop using “it’s not who I am” as an excuse, and get out there and live boldly.

It's Your Life. Live It Boldly.