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.
There was no more putting it off.
I’d already reorganized my filing system, vacuumed the rug in my office, updated Facebook five times and shredded a stack of old papers and checks from 10 years ago.
It was going to be easy. Really. They’d said “Yes, please contact me!”
And yet, I still kept saying, “Oh, I’ll start after lunch,” and “Just one more e-mail…”
What was it?! Why in the world would I be afraid to pick up the phone and call people who had basically given me permission to call them!?!?
A post about my shifting relationship with the phone, and how you can learn to stop worrying and love the phone, too.
How many times has this been you, on the end of the diving board, doin’ everything but dive? It’s been me, more than once in my life. What can I say? I like to be prepared. I want to be sure. I want to minimize risk. That’s part of my I’m-an-introvert-so-don’t-surprise-me personality. But there comes a time when we have to stop bouncing and just DIVE.
