Celebrating Introverts

Today, 2 January, is World Introvert Day! Yes, we have a special day for us. And today, we are celebrating introverts. Why? Because many writers are introverts. Many of us love nothing more than to spend time alone reading a book. But even more, we spend several hours alone, dreaming, planning, researching and writing. 

“Writing is something you do alone. It’s a profession for introverts who want to tell you a story but don’t want to make eye contact while doing it.” – John Green

Let me not assume though – you may not be an introvert. But you can find out now if you don’t know. Jenn Granneman has written a book called The Secret Lives of Introverts: Inside Our Hidden World. In it she talks about 21 signs that show a person is an introvert. Read about them here : If You Relate To These 21 Signs, You’re Probably An Introvert .

Celebrating Introverts

They listen more than they talk, think before they speak, and often feel as if they express themselves better in writing than in conversation.” —Susan Cain

Celebrating introverts today, I’m sharing with you a few interesting articles about them.

Huffington Post’s 12 Reasons to Celebrate Introverts on World Introvert Day

I especially enjoyed these two points in the article:

Introverts create worlds in their heads — and help create the world we live in.
Introverts are artists, actors, musicians, entertainers, and writers. Famous creative introverts include J.K. Rowling (only someone who spent years imagining could create the world of Hogwarts) and Lady Gaga (she’s quoted as saying, “I generally really keep to myself and I am focused on my music.”) There’s also Shonda Rhimes, David Letterman, Harrison Ford, Gwyneth Paltrow, John Green, Elton John, and Emma Watson. The list could go on and on.

Who runs the world? Introverts.
Extroverts can and do lead. But let’s not forget that introverts make powerful leaders, too. In fact, it has been reported that 40 percent of executives describe themselves as introverts, including Microsoft’s Bill Gates. Gates believes that introverts can make great leaders because they know the value of being alone and focusing deeply. Speaking at an engagement in 2013, he said: “I think introverts can do quite well. If you’re clever you can learn to get the benefits of being an introvert, which might be, say, being willing to go off for a few days and think about a tough problem, read everything you can, push yourself very hard to think out on the edge of that area.”

An excerpt from Susan Cain’s Quiet Power

I’m sure you’ve heard of or read Susan Cain’s book on introverts called Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking She has now written a book called Quiet Power, an illustrated book for introvert kids. Here is a link to an excerpt from the book, which although meant for children, applies to us too. Two of the points she shares really struck me:

FIND YOUR PASSION: This is crucial to everyone, regardless of personality type, but it’s especially important for introverts, because many of us like to focus our energy on one or two projects we really care about. Also, when you’re feeling scared, genuine passion will lift you up and give you the excitement you need to propel you through your fear.

EXPAND YOUR COMFORT ZONE: We can all stretch to some degree, pushing past our apparent limitations in the service of a cause or a passion project. And if you’re stretching into an area that really frightens you—for many people, public speaking falls into this category—make sure to practice in small, manageable steps.

If you are an introvert make sure you take time today to celebrate yourself – quietly! 🙂