Introversion....

The floor of the training room was divided into four squares. The introverts were to move to one square, the extraverts to another and those who were a mix to the other two.

The trainer told myself and my work college to move to the square that best described us. An extrovert was described as someone who liked being around people and an introvert as someone who likes being by themselves. I thought, 'I like being around other people' so I started to move towards the extrovert box.

A loud cry swept across the room, the extroverts in particular yelled , "What are you doing? You are the definition of an introvert" (If they new the definition surely they would have known then that drawing such public attention to the mistake of an introvert was one of an introverts worse nightmares!)

So here is the Wikipedia definition of an introvert

Introversion

Introversion is "the state of or tendency toward being wholly or predominantly concerned with and interested in one's own mental life".^[3] Introverts are people whose energy tends to expand through reflection and dwindle during interaction.^[4] Introverts tend to be more reserved and less outspoken in large groups. They often take pleasure in solitary activities such as reading, writing, music, drawing, tinkering, playing video games, watching movies and plays, and using computers, along with some more reserved outdoor activities such as fishing. In fact, social networking sites have been a thriving home for introverts in the 21st century, where introverts are free from the formalities of social conduct and may become more comfortable blogging about personal feelings they would not otherwise disclose. The archetypal artist, writer, sculptor, engineer, composer, and inventor are all highly introverted. An introvert is likely to enjoy time spent alone and find less reward in time spent with large groups of people, though he or she may enjoy interactions with close friends. Trust is usually an issue of significance: a virtue of utmost importance to an introvert choosing a worthy companion. They prefer to concentrate on a single activity at a time and like to observe situations before they participate, especially observed in developing children and adolescents.^[5] Introverts are easily overwhelmed by too much stimulation from social gatherings and engagement. They are more analytical before speaking.^[6]

Introversion is not the same as shyness or the social outcast. Introverts choose solitary over social activities by preference, whereas shy people (who may be extraverts at heart) avoid social encounters out of fear^[7] and whereas the social outcast faces solitude, but not by choice.

Turns out I am pretty much the definition of an introvert. I think my younger self thought that an introvert was boring, they stayed at home in their room and they didn't like people and people didn't like them. Extroverts were the fun people that everyone liked, that seemed like the better box to be in.

But now I understand that we are all just different and we need all different personalities for the world to work. I worked with a guy who was great at seeing the big picture but not so great at the processes to get there, I am the opposite so we were a great team. We got good stuff done.

It is interested that Wikipedia mentions that blogging is a popular introvert activity! So here's to the introverts ouy there and their blogs!!