Quote of the day

“Telling an introvert to go to a party is like telling a saint to go to Hell.”
― Criss Jami

Quote of the day

Everything has been said but not everyone has said it yet. 

Mo Udall 

Introverted Leader - President of the United States

The presidential election is just 9 days away, and according to prominent introverted writer Susan Cain we will have an introverted leader in the White House regardless of the outcome. While Obama has been criticized for his introversion, Cain explains some of the unique virtues of introverted leaders, primarily the exercise of caution in decision making. As Calvin Coolidge, another introverted President, said: "Four-fifths of all our troubles would disappear, if we would only sit down and keep still," and "I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm."

If you are interested in reading more about Obama, Romney, and introverted personalities, check out this sampling of related articles:
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2012/10/obama_s_denver_debate_performance_introverted_personalities_are_misunderstood_.single.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/post/president-obama-is-an-introvert-so-what/2012/09/17/4ffa93ce-00fb-11e2-9367-4e1bafb958db_blog.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/opinion/sunday/dowd-likability-index.html

Coping with all day meetings

For introverts, work meetings are exhausting. I happen to be a part of an industry where serious meetings occur on a daily basis. Meaning that, only four years out of college, I have meetingitis, which unfortunately has no cure, there can only be symptoms management. I've developed many coping mechanisms over the years. I do everything from take many coffee breaks, bathrooms breaks, and snack breaks to intensively daydreaming. As long as I can escape the meeting room, either physically or mentally, the mechanism is usually successful and I am able to survive the meeting. Thank God.

Going to parties is a lot of work

For introverts, going to parties is a lot of work. Even when you know people, it's a lot of talking, interacting, and listening. I'm exhausted at the thought of it. I have to go to two parties tonight. Before I leave, I'll have to think of conversation topics and update myself on current events. I will also consider whether or not to bring a book with me. I always bring one, though I can never bring myself to read it. Even though I will inevitably want to.

Sigh.

“Writing is something you do alone. Its a profession for introverts who want to tell you a story but don't want to make eye contact while doing it.”
― John Green