This episode shines the spotlight on the stories and experiences of 14 Introvert Entrepreneurs who learned valuable lessons early on and want to share some advice with you.
In the world of personal development, the phrase “step outside your comfort zone” (usually proceeded by the words “you have to”) shows up so much, I’ve decided never to use that phrase again.
After all, why would I want to step outside my comfort zone? My comfort zone is filled with dark chocolate, naps, kitty cats, my BFFs, spending a quiet evening at home and reading in my comfy chair. It’s a cozy place where, according to those who want me to step out of it, I can turn into an indifferent blob of unchallenged humanity, complete with cobwebs and a layer of dust.
Today, it’s all about why I’m taking back my comfort zone from those who tell me to step out of it!
How often do you find yourself saying, “Part of me wants to this, but another part of me wants to that”? This and that might be stay home or go out, order dessert or “be good,” find a new job or stay put. That very same tug-of-war comes into play when we’re talking about being introverted in an extroverted world. Does our introversion need to meet anyone’s approval? Is there a winner and a loser? Here’s my 3am insight…
OK – you’re probably thinking, “Beth, really!? The finger?!? Seriously?? That’s so not… YOU!”
I blame this one on my friend, Leif. He’s my partner-in-crime for our “Improv for Introverts” workshop. This blog’s title was one of several possible tag lines we had brainstormed. Rather than decide on the tag ourselves, we offered up a variety of ideas (including “Give Your Fear the Finger”) for feedback from our first workshop (victims) participants. And now, the rest of the story…
Last week, there was a post online speculating that Lady Gaga was an introvert. In another interview, she claimed she was “shy.” You might be thinking, “If Lady Gaga’s an introvert, then I’m the Queen of Sheba.” Based on reader comments for these and other articles, people feel very strongly not only about Lady Gaga, but what it means to be introverted or extroverted. Is it possible for a camera-loving exhibitionist be an introvert? I’m putting my money on YES.
