Introverts have been in the news a lot lately, thanks in large part to writers like Susan Cain, who wrote the book Quiet: the Power of Introverts. And yet introverts are still widely misunderstood. All the more so in the workplace, where more extroverted personalities tend to be rewarded with high powered roles. So just what is introversion? We are here to help give you some introvert productivity tips for a more satisfying work day.
Put simply, introverts are those among us who are a little more inward facing. In practical terms, introverts tend to gain their energy and rejuvenation from being alone and in quiet spaces, while extroverts require a lot more social interaction. Introversion shouldn’t be confused with social anxiety or shyness; in fact, when introverts have gotten their alone time in, they often love connecting with other people, though often in smaller groups. Given these traits, we have some introvert productivity tips that will help them do a lot better at work when they:
1) Make Their Own Quiet Spaces
These can be especially difficult to find as more and more offices move to an open plan concept. Therefore, it’s up to introverts to create their own. You might, for example, ask your boss if you can work alone in a conference room when it’s not in use. Alternatively, noise canceling headphones can create a quiet workspace no matter where you are. In addition, they’re often a great signal to coworkers that you’re not up for a conversation. Add an ergonomic keyboard into the mix, and you’ll have a workspace adapted entirely to your unique needs.
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2) Set Aside Social Time
Connecting with colleagues is essential if you’re going to do your job well. Especially since not everything can be done over email. Given this reality, it’s best to be preemptive about meetings so you can exert control over when and how you’re interacting with other people. You might, for example, schedule all of your meetings for first thing in the morning so you have the most amount of energy to give. Or maybe schedule for the end of the day, when you’re wrapping up. Offering these times will keep the whole office productive. Also, it will likely keep your colleagues from bugging you for information at other times of the day.
3) Take Some Time to Recharge
Whether the office has been extra-loud lately or you’ve just made it through a slew of networking events, it’s important to provide yourself with a little rest and relaxation after a lot of social interaction. Don’t think of this as a weakness, even as your extroverted colleagues power on. If you’re going to continue providing excellent ideas and doing your best work, taking the time to stop, regroup and look inward is essential.
For more great productivity tips for introverts, we highly recommend reading the following article, So You’re an Introvert? Here’s Some Career Advice.
If you are an introvert, let us know in the comments below how you survive an extroverted office environment. Let us know how you thrive, too!
