Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Do social situations energize or completely drain you? Are you more oriented toward the outside world or your inner, personal space?
You have probably heard it said that extroverts are talkative and outgoing while introverts are quiet, shy, and private. This is just the tip of the iceberg, as there is so much more to this dichotomy. It has to do with where your comfort lies. We can all extend our resources and stretch ourselves outside of our comfort zone, but where do we return to when we need to recharge?
Truthfully, we all have both introverted and extroverted qualities and can draw on them when we need to but ultimately, we need to return to what feels comfortable. It is important to know more about your temperament and personality. When we spend too much time working against who we are, we deplete ourselves of our energy. Whether you are an introvert or an extravert, your personality plays a major role in how you act. It can affect your romantic relationships, friendships, and career choices, among other things.
Introvert or Extrovert Test
Answer the following questions to learn more about these important personality characteristics and see where you fall on the spectrum.
Do you prefer to be the center of attention or have more one-on-one interactions?
Extroverts tend to be outgoing, love being in a group of people, and seek the spotlight whereas introverts tend to be quiet, deliberate, and prefer one-on-one meetings.
How do you recharge?
Extroverts recharge by being social. At the end of hosting a party, they can be found chatting in the kitchen with the cleanup crew. Introverts recharge by being alone. Introverts can still host that same party but at the end of it, they can be found upstairs, tucked away in a far corner, alone. They need that time and space to recharge.
READ MORE: How Birth Order Impacts Your Personality
What type of conversations do you prefer?
Extroverts enjoy group conversations. They often like talking to new people; they thrive in large group settings and like to be the center of attention. Introverts on the other hand tend to enjoy one-on-one conversations and would often prefer to socialize with people they already know.
What is your friendship style?
Extroverts tend to have more friends but the bonds are not quite as strong. They are social and collect friends easily. Conversely, introverts have closer relationships with fewer friends.
What is your preferred work environment?
Extroverts are fine working in open spaces. They thrive in communal workspaces or might enjoy working in a coffee shop. Introverts like working in a quiet space. They find all of the noise and commotion distracting.
How do you make decisions?
Extroverts tend to make decisions quickly. They do not need a lot of time to deliberate. Introverts need ample time to reflect before making a decision because they like to weigh all of their options.
What is your communication style?
Extroverts tend to speak more. Introverts tend to listen more. I once heard it said that if you don’t know what extroverts are thinking, you’re not listening; if you don’t know what introverts are thinking, you haven’t asked. This is so important to determining what type of personality you have.
There is no “right” way to be. In fact, very few people are completely introverted or extroverted. You may have read these scenarios and found yourself resonating with some from each category—that’s very normal. However, chances are you found yourself gravitating toward one personality type more than they found the other.
How to Use Your Personality to Your Benefit
It is important to know yourself and find the environments that suit you best. If you know what situations fuel or deplete your energy, you can plan your day accordingly. If you are an extrovert, plan meetings, phone calls, and group-planning sessions during the times of day when you would normally be tired.The interaction and excitement will help energize you. If you are an introvert, you might take the opposite approach and begin your day alone when you are most productive or plan a meeting that will be draining for you at the end of your day.
The more you know about your personality earlier on, the more you can help guide your career path to one that best suits your needs. Then, you can move through life engaging in ways that bring you energy and help restore you.
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