So here’s another formula, the formula that completely alters the unstoppable force that is introverts with other introverts – the inclusion of extroverts.
It’s kind of like you are a level 5 knight of your favorite RPG and all of the sudden some level 99 knight decides to challenge you and you really have no chance. No matter how many level 5 knights are on your team, this level 99 dude is going to flip your world upside down.
Now replace knight with social skills and that’s exactly what happens to the conversation.
The level 99 social dude just cuts through the conversation and our introverted energy is consumed by the wizard of socialness. I wish I had the time to learn how one can obtain such amazing social skills, but at the same time I don’t work at the most social job in the world.
I’m not saying being an extrovert is bad, it’s just that we are still on our training wheels. I don’t know how many more analogies I can come up with to express the feeling, but usually extroverted people tend to lead conversation and steer direction. That can lead to some very exciting times – I think everyone should at least have one extroverted friend because you can learn quite a bit on how to survive in the real world of conversation.
It’s just funny how many instances I’ve seen this happen. Whether it’s at work, hanging out with friends, web hangouts – doesn’t really matter, introverted people usually start to become quieter and allow the extroverted people to take control. It’s like our habits tells us to switch over to “listen” mode and once in a while say something meaningful to the conversation.
We have to get over it though. Flipping the switch is difficult, but it’s something that can be achieved. I remember when I was younger I was in a rock band. No, not a virtual rock band, but a real rock band. I had zero social skills before joining this band, and once I was in and started playing shows, I met so many people. We even had groupies, which was a strange concept for me since I never had people actually thinking I was “cool”.
Through those experiences I learned how to talk with various types of people. Granted, I’m a bit more rusty since I’m not as social as what I once was, but those experiences helped me learn to get out in the real world and level up on the social skills. It also helped me learn who I really was and who I wanted to be. Obviously being a rock star was not what I became (just to clarify in case you thought I throw down massive guitar solos before I head to sleep).
I think one of the largest and most important concepts for a young person is to find out whom they actually are and what they want to do. Once you have that, you can feel pretty confident about yourself – or at least a marginal difference than what you used to be.
I’m off topic. Anyways, thank you to all the extroverted people. Our introverted selves admire your natural skillset.
Rock on you social wizards.