I discovered I was an Introvert in 1989 as a result of completing the MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator).
Now regardless of your views about MBTI, I’d always known I was quite different from peers, colleagues, friends & even family and it was this instrument that gave me insight into how I was different.
I soon realised that this knowledge on its own was not enough though.
It had enhanced my self-awareness but didn’t give me the tools to manage others’ expectations of me.
What followed was something that other introverts will recognise only too well; I was encouraged by colleagues to try to be more outgoing in order to fit in.
And I was exhausted by the process.
Ultimately, I ended up believing I was not enough which took a heavy toll on me.
Never one to quit though, I made the decision to champion the cause of introverts like me.
I had become tired of witnessing introverts being overlooked and dismissed because they didn’t always speak up or join in.
