Cliché, I know …

But if you looked up the word “introvert” in the dictionary you would find a picture of me. In bed with a pile of books. On a Friday night. And perfectly bleeping happy about it.

If I happened to get out and do something social that night, I’d probably be the first one to call an Uber and head home. It’s not that I wasn’t having a good time. I was just ready to go home. It doesn’t mean anything.

And that’s the thing …

Generally speaking, extroverts don’t seem to “get” introverts. Introverts are often perceived as being shy. But that’s not always true. I’m not shy at all.

But where extroverts tend to thrive on social interactions, introverts tend to get drained. We can only take so much external stimulation before we reach our limits. So we’re the first ones to go home, to recharge our batteries, to return to the comforts of solitude. To read books and stuff.

As you’ll learn on today’s episode, there are all kinds of perks to being introverted. But I think the worst part of being an introvert is the meaning people give to our actions. When we’re sitting down by ourselves, it’s because we’re not having fun. When we’re already drained and decide to skip the party, there has to be something else going on. Something personal of course.

So over and over again we hear THE QUESTION …

“What’s wrong?”

Dude, for the 18th time, there’s NOTHING wrong. I’m quite jolly over here sipping this spicy margarita by myself for 3 entire minutes. Or curling up with this book. Or spending the day with my thoughts. I like my thoughts.

The only thing that’s wrong is that you keep asking me what’s wrong.

Seriously, I’m good. My only request is that you attempt to understand that you and I are different, and that trying to push, pressure, and prod introverts into conforming to an extroverted model of the world ain’t gonna work.

We “get” you. In fact, at some point in our lives, most of us have wanted to be just like you. Life would be easier that way. But we are who we are. We like to read, to think, to avoid small talk, to be by ourselves sometimes.

And none of it means a thing.

Today on the podcast, Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, reveals the power of the introvert and why solitude can be the source of creativity, impact, and innovation. Everyone needs to hear this!

Susan’s book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, is available in your local bookstore or at QODbooks.com.

Enjoy today’s quote. Leave a comment below and let us know what you think!

Sean