Some sneaky employee slipped the book Quiet by Susan Cain onto my desk when I was going to the bathroom.
No need to pussyfoot around. I know I talk too much.
This is a great book. It gives credit to introverts, the thinkers who don’t feel the need to pipe up at every opportunity.
It got me thinking of my own life and how to gauge where I stand on a scale, with introvert at one end and extrovert at the other. You might choose to go through the same exercise.
For me, I was an introvert during my early years. I stuttered, which helped me keep my mouth shut. I thought most people were smarter than me by a ton, so I laid low.
Then something happened. All of a sudden, I felt as if I had significant things to say. I even imagined people wanted to hear my opinions and would be awed by my wisdom.
I’m sorry to say this behavior lasted for decades, particularly when I was drinking a bunch. I thought silence got in the way of my genius. Silly me.
Thank goodness, a positive change is coming over me. I enjoy hearing others provide ideas and opinions richer than my own. I’ve stopped talking, even when I have a hunch I’ve got something worthy to say. I’ve converted a bunch of my talking time to thinking time.
I think Susan Cain wrote a wonderful book. I just don’t want to shout it out… oops. I guess I just did.