Introverts Are Better Than Extroverts?
What Are Extroverts?
Extroverts are often described as talkative, sociable, proactive, enthusiastic, and out-going. On the negative side, they are sometimes attention-seeking, easily distracted, and unable to spend time alone. Extroverts are better at public speaking, making new friends, and being in the spotlight. Some of the most famous extroverts are Muhammad Ali, Benjamin Franklin, and Joseph Stalin.
What Are Introverts?
Introverts tend to be quiet and reserved. Unlike extroverts, introverts have to expend energy in social situations. After attending a party or spending time in a large group of people, introverts often feel a need to “recharge” by spending a period of time alone. Introverts are also shy and avoid being the center of attention. Some of the most famous introverts are Elon Musk, Albert Einstein, and Barack Obama.
Too Much of Anything Isn’t Good
People who are too extroverted have their own problems and the same is the case with introverts. Too hot or too cold doesn’t work in the world. If you’re not good at getting on the stage despite all that information in your head that you want to share, it won’t do any good. And vice versa, if you get on the stage and don’t know what to about then that’s equally shameful. You need the best of both worlds.
My Past
I wasn’t born an introvert but I was molded into one because of my upbringing. I had an average of 2 close friends in my life until I started my A levels. I had zero confidence and I won’t talk to anyone. It was hard for me to make friends openly. Even now I don’t know how I made friends back then. But on the good side, I used to go home and read lots of books and watch anime all day because there was no one bothering me. I enjoyed being alone so much, it became addictive.
My Present
Now, I’m much different. There’s not one person in the world who I can’t walk up to, no stage I can’t get on. I’ve made lots of friends and enjoy outdoor activities too. But, I didn’t lose my introvert side either. I spend the other half of my day, just as before, alone in my room, reading or watching something. I am, what you call, an ambivert. I’ve acquired both worlds in the palm of my hand.
How I Did It
Taking the first step is the hardest. A few things happened to ease my way. I moved to Islamabad during my A levels and I join a new school full of strangers. I took this as an opportunity to explore. At the same time, I had read ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’ by Dale Carnegie and I started applying those principles and surprisingly they worked. They were done with good intentions, of course. I just went up to people and talked to them, turned out they didn’t actually hate me, it was all in my head.
The second thing I had to counter was stage fright. So there was the Welcome coming up for the new batch and they needed people to host and I asked the Head Girl to add my name to it. When I actually showed up for the rehearsal, my legs were shaking, my ears were red hot and I couldn’t talk at all; I ran out of the room. After a stressful night filled with self-reflection, I showed up the next day with a bit more courage but I didn’t do well that day either. They even asked me to drop the position if I wasn’t comfortable, but this was about being uncomfortable, being outside my comfort zone.
Be An Ambivert
In the end, I nailed the ceremony hosting and I was so proud of myself, I was out of the mindset I had jailed myself in. I was free and empowered. I went on to give the Farewell speech later in the year and that was the most memorable part of my journey, because everyone loved it, including me. Just step out of your comfort zone for once and you’ll overcome the fear in an instant. In this practical world, you can’t get by just by being either one of those, you have to be both at the same time. An ambivert is what you should be.
