I is for Introvert: How Do You Know if You’re an Introvert or an Extrovert?

From http://www.SavageChickens.com

We’re doing Thoughty Thursday a few days this week due to the #AtoZChallenge.

Today I’m thinking about personality types and blogging.

It’s hard for most of us to maintain our passion for “the old blog.” I hear writers talk about this all the time.

They get tired…they don’t know what to blog about…they haven’t found their niche.

Really, that’s the whole reason I do this April blogging challenge each year: The wild variety of topics keeps me feeling fresh if you know what I mean.

Still, the biggest time component of blogging is the social media, which brings me to the title of this post: I think so many writers have hissy fits over their blogs because they’re introverts and all this social media WEARS THEM OUT.

What does it mean to be an “introvert” or an “extrovert?”

I’ve found that very few people know the real definition of introverts vs. extroverts so I’ll share it with you here, courtesy of the Rockstar Counselor Guy who told me.

Being an introvert or extrovert is all about energy.

• Introverts gain energy from time spent by themselves.
• Extroverts gain energy from time spent with others.

Most people think introverts don’t like people, which couldn’t be further from the truth. The majority of introverts like people just fine, they just get tired out by too much contact with them.

For an extrovert like me, if I need an energy lift, I go to where the people are. This doesn’t mean I even want to talk to them. Truly. A lot of the time I don’t. I just want to be around them, sucking up some energy from the buzz of the room.

Let’s use blogging as an example so you get a clearer picture.

What are some of the ways blogging helps me as an extrovert?

• Forming connections and meeting new people gives me the warm fuzzies.
• Helping people gives me the warm fuzzies too, which is why I do Techie Tuesdays.
• I get to suck in all that energy from my More Cowbell Posse and use it to fuel my writing (you know, when I’m by myself ).

How might blogging help an introvert?

• They can form connections without wearing themselves out.
• They can interact on a limited basis, again conserving energy.
• If they are shy, they can step out of that box more easily without the sensory input of a face-to-face meeting throwing them off.

Note: Shyness sometimes stems from the second most common fear in America, which is fear of social embarrassment. (More on that later this month!)

If you’re not sure which side of the introvert line you fall on, here is a free quiz on the subject. Answer the questions quickly and honestly.  Go with your first gut reaction–not what you wish you were like.  Do not go back to “check” your work.  It’s not a math test. There is no wrong answer to any question.

That link will give your report back with 4 letters, which stand for the following:

• I(ntroversion) or E(xtroversion)
• N(iNtuition) or S(ensing)
• T(hinking) or F(eeling)
• P(erceiving) or J(udging).

If you want to understand more about what these letters mean, here’s a great post.

We want to know what your letters are down in the comments! Mine are ENFJ (no big surprise to most of you). 🙂

So where do you fall? Are you an introvert, an extrovert, or something halfway between the two? Enquiring minds always  want to know these things here at More Cowbell!

Jenny

p.s. Don’t forget, today is Sibling Day! Be sure to shower your brothers and sisters with lots of love!