Being an introvert and an entrepreneur can be quite challenging. Society leads us to believe that introverts are those people who are shy, passive or really quiet. This is not the case at all. The introvert and extrovert phenomenon is more about how people draw energy. As an extrovert, you may draw energy from being around other people. On the reverse side, introverts draw energy from solitude.
As an introvert, I challenge the assumptions that introverts cannot be great entrepreneurs. Introverts are known for being great listeners and also for being empathetic, two skills that are highly useful in business. Introverts often like to keep to themselves, so when they have interactions with others it is very sincere. Introverts have a naturally cautious personality, which serves well in many business models. As an introvert who is also an entrepreneur, the work you do is genuine. It can be easy to be caught up in other things, but when you invest time into a business it is because you genuinely do care.
Most people think that there is a disadvantage to being an introvert in business. This is not true in the least bit. There are so many reasons introverts have a powerful advantage over their counterparts. Actually, there are too many to name. The real question lies in how you ensure that you still are being true to yourself all while owning your own business.
As an introvert entrepreneur, here are three steps that will help you to balance both your personality and your business.
1. Plan for alone time.
As an introvert, you know the importance of managing your energy, which comes from managing your time. The neat thing about having your own business is that you get to make your own schedule. Make it a priority to allow yourself down time. Without this time, you will have a hard time being productive in your business. When you make this a priority, you will have the energy available to you when you need it most.
2. Make sure you single task!
When beginning a business, it can be quite tempting to try to overdo it. In order to increase your productivity, you should work on one task at a time. So if you are working with a client, shut down all social media notifications. Or if you are working on writing a book, turn your phone to do not disturb.
3. Get support from other introverts who also own a business.
Despite the reputation that introverts hate connection, it is still just as important for you. You do not have to join a group necessarily, but I found it comforting to know I was not alone in my feelings. This kept me sane in the midst of all of my chaos. When you chat with these people, you have an opportunity to take suggestions and advice than can help you to succeed in business. It also helps to get support from people who think similar to you.
So basically, if you haven’t already gathered a conclusion from this post, the one thing I desire that you take away is the understanding that introverts rock!
Nicolya Williams is a certified life coach and blogger for women. As a mindset coach, Nicolya empowers women to knock down barriers through creating mindset practices and challenging negative habits and thoughts.
You can connect with Nicolya at www.nicolyawilliams.com or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nicolya.williams.
