The Introvert Advantage: The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an How to Thrive in an

Extrovert WorldExtrovert World

Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D. Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D.

Part 1 – A Fish Out of WaterPart 1 – A Fish Out of Water

Chapter 1: What’s an Innie? Are You One?Chapter 1: What’s an Innie? Are You One?Introversion is at its root a type of temperament.Introversion is at its root a type of temperament.

Introverts draw energy from their Introverts draw energy from their internal world internal world of ideas, emotions, and impression.of ideas, emotions, and impression.

Extroverts are energized by the Extroverts are energized by the external worldexternal world——activities, people, places, and things.activities, people, places, and things.

Innies and OutiesInnies and Outies

Different in three main ways:Different in three main ways:Energy creationEnergy creationResponse to stimulationResponse to stimulationDepth vs. breadthDepth vs. breadth

Introverts are different and it’s okay. Introverts are different and it’s okay.

Chapter II: Why Are Introverts Chapter II: Why Are Introverts an Optical Illusion?an Optical Illusion?

Even public figures are introverts.Even public figures are introverts. Introverts are not necessarily shy, schizoid, or Introverts are not necessarily shy, schizoid, or

highly sensitive.highly sensitive. Most introverts have been blamed, shamed, Most introverts have been blamed, shamed,

and defamed. Learn the antidotes.and defamed. Learn the antidotes. Learn to take your temperament temperature.Learn to take your temperament temperature.

Chapter III: The Emerging Chapter III: The Emerging Brainscape: Born to Be Introverted?Brainscape: Born to Be Introverted? All humans are born with a temperament All humans are born with a temperament

predisposition.predisposition. Genes provide the recipes for our Genes provide the recipes for our

neurotransmitters.neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters direct what parts of our Neurotransmitters direct what parts of our

brains and nervous systems we use.brains and nervous systems we use. Right or left brain dominance affects how we Right or left brain dominance affects how we

process information and respond to the world. process information and respond to the world.

Part IIPart II

Navigating the Navigating the Extroverted WatersExtroverted Waters

Chapter IVChapter IV

Relationships: Face the Music and DanceRelationships: Face the Music and DanceWhen personality types collide:When personality types collide:Everyone looks at the world from his or her own Everyone looks at the world from his or her own perspective.perspective.Each couple combo has advantages and Each couple combo has advantages and challenges.challenges.Conflicts can be settled; you can learn to talk Conflicts can be settled; you can learn to talk together more easily and to appreciate each other.together more easily and to appreciate each other.

Chapter VChapter V

Parenting: Are They Up from Their Nap Already?Parenting: Are They Up from Their Nap Already?Think about how your children create their Think about how your children create their energy.energy.Think about your and your partner’s Think about your and your partner’s temperaments. Are you innies or outies?temperaments. Are you innies or outies?Have a family talk about your temperaments and Have a family talk about your temperaments and how they affect your daily relationships. You will how they affect your daily relationships. You will appreciate one another more.appreciate one another more.

Chapter VIChapter VI

Socializing: Party Pooper or Pooped from the Socializing: Party Pooper or Pooped from the Party?Party?Socializing is an energy drainer.Socializing is an energy drainer.Conserve energy before social events.Conserve energy before social events.Plan how to enter and exit social occasions and how to start up a Plan how to enter and exit social occasions and how to start up a conversation.conversation.Give yourself permission to socialize as an introvert.Give yourself permission to socialize as an introvert.Strategize carefully; by doing so you can enjoy many social Strategize carefully; by doing so you can enjoy many social events.events.Take breaks and regulate your stimulation. It’s okay.Take breaks and regulate your stimulation. It’s okay.

Chapter VIIChapter VII

Working: Hazards from 9 to 5Working: Hazards from 9 to 5It takes some effort to get acknowledged at work.It takes some effort to get acknowledged at work.Every day, in some way, do some subtle self-Every day, in some way, do some subtle self-promotion.promotion.Protect yourself from energy drainers.Protect yourself from energy drainers.Learn the steps to calm yourself if you feel “fried.”Learn the steps to calm yourself if you feel “fried.”Remember, your employer is lucky to have you as an Remember, your employer is lucky to have you as an employee.employee.

Part IIIPart III

Creating the “Just Creating the “Just Right” LifeRight” Life

Chapter VIIIChapter VIII

Three P’s: Personal Pacing, Priorities and Three P’s: Personal Pacing, Priorities and ParamentersParamentersNotice your energy rhythms.Notice your energy rhythms.Choose what has meaning to you.Choose what has meaning to you.Take time to think about decisions.Take time to think about decisions.

Chapter IXChapter IX

Nurture Your NatureNurture Your NatureBreaksBreaksBreathingBreathingNutritional NoshingNutritional NoshingSleepSleepExerciseExercise

Chapter XChapter X

Extroverting: Shine Your Light into the WorldExtroverting: Shine Your Light into the WorldShoot from the LipShoot from the LipQuick-Calm Inner IrritationsQuick-Calm Inner IrritationsBe Kind, Don’t RewindBe Kind, Don’t RewindSurvival KitSurvival KitRefill Your TankRefill Your TankHumor HelpsHumor HelpsShine Your Light Into the WorldShine Your Light Into the World

Words for Introverts to Live ByWords for Introverts to Live By Be playful.Be playful. Take breaks.Take breaks. Appreciate your inside world.Appreciate your inside world. Be authentic.Be authentic. Enjoy curiosity.Enjoy curiosity. Stay in harmony.Stay in harmony. Revel in solitude.Revel in solitude. Be grateful.Be grateful. Be you.Be you.Remember, let your light shine.Remember, let your light shine.