Introverts are natural thinkers. We’re in our heads a lot. And there’s nothing wrong with this. At all.
But, like much in life (and business), balance can lead to thriving. We’re thinkers, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t also be doers.
I spent much of my childhood in thinkingland – observing things from the sidelines. Somewhere in adolescence the pendulum started to swing the other way. I stopped thinking and planning as much, and started reacting.
As a kid I used to read every book until the last sentence. I would give every book more than it’s fair chance. But as the years wore on that changed. In my early 20s I would pick books up, and then abandon them after 20 pages, moving on to the next, more interesting sounding, book. Soon enough I barely read at all.
The same pattern of “doing” can be seen in my resume – I used to jump from job to job, and career to career.
It took a long time to find my way to a middle point. And it wasn’t until recently that I even noticed I had reached that middle point. I’m reading more now. I’m implementing more long-term solutions when it comes to the things that annoy me about my home. Career wise, I’ve been running Introvertology for about two and a half years now, and have no intention on shutting it down any time soon.
Instead of reacting, I’m creating more space to do what feels more natural–thinking and planning first. And then–and here’s the crucial part–I act on that plan. When I used to be in my perpetual “doing” mindset I would plan and then react, totally ignoring the plan. Why? Because I didn’t slow down enough to think deeply about my life and goals. But I’m also aware that if I want to help introverts prosper in the 21st century I can’t just plan. I can’t just make a list of blog posts and videos and social media updates then never write or film or post one. In order to help the world I can do what feels natural–think–but it’s crucial that I also put those thoughts into the world, and that requires action.
But this balance hasn’t just helping me put content into the world to help others, it’s also helped me feel whole. And I hope you find the balance that helps you feel whole too.
My questions for you:
Where are you in the pendulum between thinking and doing right now? How can you incorporate more thinking or more doing into your life?
