In an Extroverted World:

For anyone who has ever dreaded the “office chit chat” and just wanted to work quietly in peace to get stuff DONE,

for anyone who has ever wanted to lash out in rage at the suggestion of doing “group work” as a kid in school,

for anyone who has ever enjoyed social interaction so very much, but then suddenly the experience becomes inexplicably overwhelming,

for anyone who has had a hard time articulating how they feel to others,

for anyone who has ever needed “some time to process things” while others are left confused by what this even means,

for anyone who has ever been teased for being more “inward” than “outward,”

for anyone who has ever wanted to be completely ALONE for an entire day, because we know this is what it will take to recharge, feel level, and get grounded,

for anyone whose idea has been overlooked because the next person over is more charismatic, fast-talking, and loud,

for anyone who makes decisions slowly because they want all the pieces and parts to be correct and the exact right thing,

for anyone who makes decisions like this: “Ready . . . ready . . . reeeaaaady . . . . . . ready . . . READY . . . . . .  Aim . . . aaaaiiiim . . . aim . . . aim . . . aaaaiiiiim . . . . . . . . . aim . . . . . . . . .  Fire?”

for anyone whose chest has ever tightened at the thought of not having one moment of alone time in a string of several days,

for anyone who has ever had a partner who takes “I need some alone time” personally,

for anyone who doubts their quiet processes, careful ways, and creativity always “bubbling” just under the surface:

http://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts.html