[PammyJ]

I hid behind my mother when I was a child. My parents encouraged me in social situations.
Still to this day, I am really uncomfortable making small talk. However, like many previous posters, I am in a job where I have to do this. Talking during presentations, I could do all day, and sometimes I do. One-on-one conversations are hard! I just hide behind my hubby now! LOL! Wine helps!!!!

[Skip2MySue]

I always considered myself a fun person to be around and felt comfortable meeting and greeting new and old friends. Then my hearing started to go and with that I then proceeded to become introverted and dreaded gatherings because of my difficulty in hearing conversations. $5000 hearing aids later and I'm still struggling so I tend to avoid gatherings. I kept telling myself I wanted to attend the TOTV Crisper's gatherings but knew it would be disaster so instead I read about the good times everyone has meeting each other .
Skip 2

[ugotme]

Hmmm. Let's see.
As a kid I was very shy! Even into my late teens I was an introvert.
But now . . .

LOOK OUT WORLD !

Can't tell you why but now I basically never shut up - I admit it.

However still quiet when I first meet people. HATE doing things like weddings etc. where I don't know anyone - but usually end up having a good time . . .
In spite of myself !

[duffysmom]

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Powerful book and a great read, helps to understand ourselves as well
as our children and grand children.

Book Description
Publication Date:January 24, 2012
At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking, reading to partying; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over brainstorming in teams. Although they are often labeled "quiet," it is to introverts that we owe many of the great contributions to society--from van Gogh’s sunflowers to the invention of the personal computer.

Passionately argued, impressively researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet shows how dramatically we undervalue introverts, and how much we lose in doing so. Taking the reader on a journey from Dale Carnegie’s birthplace to Harvard Business School, from a Tony Robbins seminar to an evangelical megachurch, Susan Cain charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal in the twentieth century and explores its far-reaching effects. She talks to Asian-American students who feel alienated from the brash, backslapping atmosphere of American schools. She questions the dominant values of American business culture, where forced collaboration can stand in the way of innovation, and where the leadership potential of introverts is often overlooked. And she draws on cutting-edge research in psychology and neuroscience to reveal the surprising differences between extroverts and introverts.

Perhaps most inspiring, she introduces us to successful introverts--from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Finally, she offers invaluable advice on everything from how to better negotiate differences in introvert-extrovert relationships to how to empower an introverted child to when it makes sense to be a "pretend extrovert."

This extraordinary book has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how introverts see themselves.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Many people would consider me to be an extrovert. I am in many situations but in others, not so much. One business role in particular "in a prior life" demanded tons of contact with many people within the organization on a daily basis, public speaking and presentations, etc., etc. It forced me to become something that wasn't really all that natural for me. It worked out fine - most people never knew the difference. Now, as a result, I don't have any problems walking up to total strangers, introducing myself, and striking up a conversation. Many people feel like I have TOO much to say!!!

Speaking on Sandy's behalf - - - She was very introverted when we first met - extremely quiet, kept very much to herself, not much of one to go our of her way to meet people, etc. She used to shy away from attending any business functions with me as being around people she didn't know made her very uncomfortable.

Time.......and hanging around with me for 40 years!.......have made a difference. She's a completely different person now - talks much more easily with people, quiet a bit more outgoing, and so on. But again, like me, it didn't all come naturally. We're like a comedy tag-team now - always trying our best to have fun with whatever we're doing!

Bill

[chachacha]

well according to lightworker's DH's research, i must be an introvert...i do need to recharge at home alone after having wonderful times in social situations. as a young person i was very quiet but around the age of 45 i came into my own and now am never uncomfortable in any social setting. i figure if someone does not like me, so be it. i cannot please everyone and don't try to!

[Blessed2BNTV]

Originally Posted by Skip2MySue

I always considered myself a fun person to be around and felt comfortable meeting and greeting new and old friends. Then my hearing started to go and with that I then proceeded to become introverted and dreaded gatherings because of my difficulty in hearing conversations. $5000 hearing aids later and I'm still struggling so I tend to avoid gatherings. I kept telling myself I wanted to attend the TOTV Crisper's gatherings but knew it would be disaster so instead I read about the good times everyone has meeting each other .
Skip 2

My hearing is not as good as it use to be. While we are only part time residents hope to go to Crispers meeting on one of our visits. We can go together.

[ssmith]

iIam either an outgoing intravert or a quiet extravert.....

Ilove being around people and can get quite fired up about it ....

but I also love to be home and get rested too.

If I am home alone too long I have to go out around people and if I am on the go too much then I need to be home alone too.

I have lost the hearing in my left ear and I have tenitus so sometimes I get exhausted in group conversations esp when the person I am trying to converse with speaks in a quieter tone and then there will be a fun and boisterous conversation on the side of my good ear a few feet or across the room...then I can't hear a thing!!!

[Lark7]

A bit of both - however, wish I were a tad more extroverted.

[Microcodeboy]

OK. I was told to add some stuff:

While I was always nervous doing big presentations, I did them often. More, I love the unrehersed Q&A after. That was when I was most in my element. I spent most of my career understanding my shortcomings and attempting to improve. Now I accept that I am who I am and either you like me or not - so be it. Life is much more fun now.

The business world offered to analyze me and make perpetual suggestions for change. Glad that is done with.

[Jim 9922]

As today's Wall Street Journal summarized Extroverts: talkative, enthusiastic, tendency to be assertive in group settings, are happier and motivated most of the time.
Thats me, maybe that's why my clients still pay the good bucks and won't let me retire!

[cbg150]

Originally Posted by duffysmom

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Powerful book and a great read, helps to understand ourselves as well
as our children and grand children.

Book Description
Publication Date:January 24, 2012
At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking, reading to partying; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over brainstorming in teams. Although they are often labeled "quiet," it is to introverts that we owe many of the great contributions to society--from van Gogh’s sunflowers to the invention of the personal computer.

Passionately argued, impressively researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet shows how dramatically we undervalue introverts, and how much we lose in doing so. Taking the reader on a journey from Dale Carnegie’s birthplace to Harvard Business School, from a Tony Robbins seminar to an evangelical megachurch, Susan Cain charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal in the twentieth century and explores its far-reaching effects. She talks to Asian-American students who feel alienated from the brash, backslapping atmosphere of American schools. She questions the dominant values of American business culture, where forced collaboration can stand in the way of innovation, and where the leadership potential of introverts is often overlooked. And she draws on cutting-edge research in psychology and neuroscience to reveal the surprising differences between extroverts and introverts.

Perhaps most inspiring, she introduces us to successful introverts--from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Finally, she offers invaluable advice on everything from how to better negotiate differences in introvert-extrovert relationships to how to empower an introverted child to when it makes sense to be a "pretend extrovert."

This extraordinary book has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how introverts see themselves.

I really loved this book too!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[perrjojo]

Originally Posted by rubicon

Are you an extrovert or introvert and how did it effect your life?

Ambivert.... I have lived a healthy happy life so I guess it has worked for me

[rubicon]

Another interesting aspect to the question of extrovert or introvert is perception. By that I mean how you view yourself vis a vis to how others perceive you. Many posters answered both ways which I found interesting.

In the corporate world companies would spend vast sums of money and time to determine managerial styles. One such programs had the manager score him/herself the manager's subordinates and the manager's superiors. More often than not all agree to a degree. The key factor for me in such exercises is the default position of an individual, meaning that most of us will adapt to the changing environment in order to survive but we eventually default back to who we are.

I also believe that who we are is shaped by our parents (genetic taught values, etc) our education institutions and our cultural( neighborhood, etc)

I opine others can decide

[Villages PL]

I...a....I'm not sure what to say at this point. I'll try again tomorrow.