My Mom gave me Susan Cain’s book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. I am really looking forward to reading it, although more about how introverts are defined than any kind of power thing, whose word in the title makes me just a little gun shy. (I avoid self help books, diet books, or any other quick fix “empowerment” books of any kind. So far, I am happy to state, this book does not seem to be falling into those categories.) I long felt, although my personality, like most people, is complex and is a mixture of introvert and extrovert, leans towards the introvert side of the scale.
Anyway, the book has a test in the beginning which, it doesn’t claim is an exact science, is just to give you a rough idea on which side of things you lean more towards. I thought I’d post the test here. Before I do, introvert does not mean shy. You can be a shy extrovert. Although of course you can be a shy introvert. It has more to do with how you are stimulated by other people. Introverts often feel overstimulated in certain social situations, and need to take a break after awhile, while extroverts crave that social stimulation to rejuvenate their energy. That is just one example.
Anyway, here is the test below. You would answer true or false for each question. The more true you answer the more of an introvert you probably are:
1. I prefer one on one conversations to group activities.
2. I often prefer to express myself in writing.
3. I enjoy solitude.
4. I seem to care less than my peers about wealth, fame, and status.
5. I dislike small talk, but I enjoy talking in depth about topics that matter to me.
6. People tell me I’m a good listener.
7. I’m not a big risk taker.
8. I enjoy work that allows me to “dive in” with few interuptions.
9. I like to celebrate birthdays on a small scale, with only one or two close friends or family members.
10. People describe me as “soft spoken” or “mellow”.
11. I prefer not to show or discuss my work until it’s finished.
12. I dislike conflict.
13. I do my best work on my own.
14. I tend to think before I speak.
15. I feel drained after being out and about, even if I enjoyed myself.
16. I often let calls go to voice mail.
17. If I had to choose, I’d prefer a weekend with absolutely nothing to do to one with too many things scheduled.
18. I don’t enjoy multitasking.
19. I can concentrate easily.
20. In classroom situations, I prefer lectures to seminars.
Look, you aren’t going to solve your personality in 20 questions. Some of the questions could easily be answered, “yes or no…but…”. I just thought I’d post something, if you happened to be at work surfing the internet like I used to do, that might provide you with a little fun, and might give you some inclination as to which way you lean if you are unsure. I am all about slowing down production!
Windup Wire 