In November 2010, I wrote a prescient blog post entitled, “The Dangers of Being Home Alone.” My main point was that while I was working from home and technically “alone,” I was rarely alone with my thoughts because I was almost never unplugged, never disconnected. Part of me also felt that working from home alone was not the most productive place to be. However, my introvert self LOVED it because, while I was alone, I wasn’t lonely. It was a year before I decided to stop being home alone, and here’s the surprise realization that my move inspired.
She’s bitchy, ballsy and brash.
She’s Tabatha, and she’s taking over.
I might be a little late to the party, but I’ve just discovered “Tabatha’s Salon Takeover,” and I’m hooked.
Tabatha Coffey is almost the complete opposite of me in every respect. And yet, there is something extraordinarily compelling about watching her crack heads together in the name of saving a failing business. Watching her, I know there is something for me to learn. There’s definitely a homeopathic dose of Tabatha that would make a difference in my business, and maybe yours as well.
There’s a phenomenon that happens with many fresh water lakes a few times a year called “lake turnover.” Without getting into the details, it’s a process that happens when the surface water reaches a certain temperature and becomes denser and heavier than the water under it. That top layer sinks and displaces the water below it. This results in “new” water coming to the surface, hence, “turnover.” I’ve been noticing that same phenomenon in my own life recently… what is this new energy that’s rising to the top?
Oh dear, did that headline sound exasperated? I think it did. Because I am.
Over the past 18 months, I’ve been especially in tune with articles and posts that mention introversion. And so often, there is a collapsing of the definitions of introvert and shy. The article will start out OK, positing that introverts can be leaders, or business owners, or sales people. Then they will highlight a particular person, first by describing how he or she was shy as a youth. The shyness may be true, and it’s somewhat irrelevant to his or her status as an introvert.
As long as I see credible news outlets and bloggers interchange “introvert” with “shy” (or almost worse, with “passive,” which is what the Harvard Business Review did in reports of recent leadership research), I know that we need to keep beating the “introvert-does-not-equal-shy” drum.
(Quick note: I am NOT saying there’s anything wrong or shameful with being shy. It’s simply that as long as we accept incorrect definitions, we’ll not have access to solutions or information that can help us the most.)
What do I need most to succeed in business?
Be fearless!
What do I do when doubts creep in?
Be fearless!
How do I get over my fears?
Be fearless!
Last week, I attended an outstanding Puget Sound Business Journal “Grow Your Business” Expo. The day was full of exhibitors and presenters, all focused on providing resources and strategies to entrepreneurs. A common theme of many of the speakers? Be fearless!
Every time someone said that, I cringed inside.
