Introvert power : why your inner life is your hidden strength

283 Pages·2008·3.406 MB·English

by  Laurie A Helgoe

“If you have introvert inclinations and are doubting yourself, this
is a must read. Or if you know someone who exhibits introvert
LAURIE HELGOE, P D
symptoms, read this book before calling the shrink.” H
—Bhante Yogavacara Rahula,
author of One Night’s Shelter: An Autobiography of an American Buddhist Monk
EMBRACE THE
I
POWER INSIDE YOU
N
“An important guide to embracing one’s
T inner life and claiming it as a rich source
Are you an introvert? Psychologist and introvert Laurie Helgoe reveals that of power, creativity, and connectedness.”
R
—Camille Maurine,
more than half of all Americans are. Introverts gain energy and power
author of Meditation Secrets for Women
through refl ection and solitude. Our culture, however, is geared toward the O
extrovert. The pressure to enjoy parties, chatter, and interactions can lead people
V
to think that an inward orientation is a problem instead of an opportunity.
Helgoe shows that the exact opposite is true: Introverts can capitalize on this inner E
INTROVERT
source of power. IINNTTRROOVVEERRTT PPOOWWEERR is a groundbreaking call for an introvert
R
renaissance, a blueprint for how introverts can take full advantage of this hidden
T
strength in daily life. Supplemented by the voices of several introverts, Helgoe POWER
presents a startling look at introvert numbers, influence, and economic might.

P
O
Revolutionary and invaluable, INTROVERT POWER
includes ideas for how introverts can learn to:
W
• Claim private space • Create breaks in
conversation and relationships
• Carve out time to think E
• Deal effectively with parties,
• Bring a slower tempo
interruptions, and crowds R
into daily life
QUIET IS MIGHT. SOLITUDE IS STRENGTH. INTROVERSION IS POWER.
HELGOE
Laurie Helgoe, PhD, is a writer,
psychologist, part-time actor, $15.95 U.S. / $16.99 CAN / £8.99 UK
ISBN-13: 978-1-4022-1117-1
and model—and introvert. This www.sourcebooks.com
ISBN-10: 1-4022-1117-1
Why Your Inner Life Is
is her fifth book. Visit her at
www.wakingdesire.com and
www.introvertpower.com. UPC EAN Your Hidden Strength
Introvert_Power_FINAL.qxd:Introvert Power 5/16/08 4:53 PM Page i
PRAISE FOR
INTROVERT POWER
“This is such a good book! Laurie Helgoe has created an
important guide to embracing one's inner life and claiming it
as a rich source of power, creativity, and connectedness.
Through concise yet pithy examples and exercises, she shows
how to celebrate introversion and support yourself to thrive—
shamelessly!”
—Camille Maurine, author of Meditation Secrets for Women
and Meditation 24/7, creator of the “MovingTheater” process
“Laurie Helgoe’s Introvert Power is a long overdue look at the
power of introversion.We shouldn’t think something is wrong
with us if we shun the sometimes chaotic life of an extrovert.
Many of the great intellectual, artistic, philosophical, and reli-
gious thinkers were introverts. Introversion can connect us to
the source of our Being so we may remain grounded as we
work in the world. If you have introvert inclinations and are
doubtingyourself,thisisamustread.Orifyouknowsomeone
whoexhibitsintrovertsymptoms,readthisbookbeforecalling
the shrink.”
—BhanteYogavacaraRahula,authorofOneNight’sShelter:An
Autobiography of an American Buddhist Monk
Introvert_Power_FINAL.qxd:Introvert Power 5/16/08 4:53 PM Page ii
Introvert_Power_FINAL.qxd:Introvert Power 5/16/08 4:53 PM Page iii
INTROVERT
POWER
Introvert_Power_FINAL.qxd:Introvert Power 5/16/08 4:53 PM Page iv
Introvert_Power_FINAL.qxd:Introvert Power 5/16/08 4:53 PM Page v
INTROVERT
POWER
WHY YOUR
INNER LIFE IS YOUR
HIDDEN STRENGTH
Laurie Helgoe, PhD
Introvert_Power_FINAL.qxd:Introvert Power 5/16/08 4:53 PM Page vi
Copyright©2008byLaurieHelgoe
Coverandinternaldesign©2008bySourcebooks,Inc.
Cover©iStockPhoto,MattJeacock
CoverdesignbyCyanotypeBookArchitects.
SourcebooksandthecolophonareregisteredtrademarksofSourcebooks,Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any
electronicormechanicalmeansincludinginformationstorageandretrievalsystems—
exceptinthecaseofbriefquotationsembodiedincriticalarticlesorreviews—without
permissioninwritingfromitspublisher,Sourcebooks,Inc.
Thispublicationisdesignedtoprovideaccurateandauthoritativeinformationinregard
tothesubjectmattercovered.Itissoldwiththeunderstandingthatthepublisherisnot
engagedinrenderinglegal,accounting,orotherprofessionalservice.Iflegaladviceor
otherexpertassistanceisrequired,theservicesofacompetentprofessionalpersonshould
be sought.—From a Declaration of Principles Jointly Adopted by a Committee of the
AmericanBarAssociationandaCommitteeofPublishersandAssociations
All brand names and product names used in this book are trademarks, registered
trademarks, or trade names of their respective holders. Sourcebooks, Inc., is not
associatedwithanyproductorvendorinthisbook.
Myers-BriggsTypeIndicator,MBTI,Myers-Briggs,theMBTIlogo,andIntroductionto
TypearetrademarksorregisteredtrademarksoftheMyers-BriggsTypeIndicatorTrust
intheUnitedStatesandothercountries.
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and MMPI are registered trademarks of
theRegentsoftheUniversityofMinnesota.
PublishedbySourcebooks,Inc.
P.O.Box4410,Naperville,Illinois60567–4410
(630)961–3900
Fax:[phone]
www.sourcebooks.com
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Helgoe,LaurieA.
Introvertpower:whyyourinnerlifeisyourhiddenstrength/LaurieHelgoe.
p.cm.
ISBN978-1-4022-2000-5-1117-1(tradepbk.)
1. Introversion. I.Title.
BF698.35.I59H452008
155.2'32—dc22
2008004967
PrintedandboundintheUnitedStatesofAmerica.
BG10987654321
Introvert_Power_FINAL.qxd:Introvert Power 5/16/08 4:53 PM Page vii
To Catherine, midwife to my introversion, ten years
ago today.
To Barron,The One, twenty-five years into the best
decision we’ve made.
Introvert_Power_FINAL.qxd:Introvert Power 5/16/08 4:53 PM Page viii
Introvert_Power_FINAL.qxd:Introvert Power 5/16/08 4:53 PM Page ix
Believe nothing.
No matter where you read it,
Or who said it,
Even if I have said it,
Unless it agrees with your own reason
And your own common sense.
—Buddha