Behind-the-scenes: WEEK 33

Behind the Scenes - Week 33

Nugget of the Week

We sometimes hear that introverts are not good friends as they don’t communicate freely or honestly. We are accused of being anti-social, disinterested and disconnected.

I disagree. And here’s why.

This is just one of the myths around introversion that because we’re not speaking all of the time, we don’t speak when it matters. We do, provided there is a strong enough bond or an important enough reason. If not, then nah! I’ll keep my thoughts to myself.

When introverts have strong relationships, they can be the MOST honest ‘critical friend’. You know, the one who tells you not what you want to hear, but what you need to hear.

That’s the type of conversation I had with one of my best friends this last week. I held the silence as he digested my words.

I didn’t appease.

I didn’t change what I’d said.

I held the space whilst he reflected. It was powerful and we both commented about how we value that we can have these conversations without worrying about our friendship.

This approach plays to our strengths of listening empathically and not filling the silence, so give it a go.

This Sh** Really Happened!

If you’ve followed me and my work for a while, you will know quite a lot about Gladys and her antics. She’s a handful to say the least, and not in a good way!

I have done so much work to understand what she’s trying to keep me safe from (the role of all inner critics) and we normally have a great working relationship now.

BTW, don’t believe anyone who tells you that you can ‘turn’ your inner critic into a fan – it doesn’t work like that. Anyway, Gladys snuck up on me when I was least expecting it this week and her intervention knocked me for six. 

I started doubting myself and my work – was it making the difference I intended?

It was and it is as testimonials routinely demonstrate.

So, with the help of my brilliant team I thanked her for keeping a watchful eye and packed her off again, to enjoy the last of the summer.

Ice creams all round? Actually, make mine an Aperol Spritz!

Coming up, Buttercup!

As you know, at the House of Flourishing Introverts, we are celebrating August as the ‘Introvert Celebration Month’ – and as part of that celebration I am offering once in a life time, never to repeat again bonuses with my Flip Your Limiting Beliefs course.

I understand just too —a lifetime of feedback can leave us feeling ‘less than’ in some way.

However, we are far from ‘less than.’ When we recognise that we are ‘more than,’ we unlock our potential to create a life we love, to believe in ourselves, and to intentionally hold firm boundaries.

My course is designed to guide you on this flourishing journey, empowering you to take control and make meaningful, lasting changes.

If you’re tired of thinking you can’t and ready to say ‘watch me’, it’s time to consider the Flip Your Limiting Beliefs course.

Offer ends on August 20. Sign-up!

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Got a question? Contact my team at quietly@flourishingintroverts.com  

Behind-the-scenes: WEEK 32

Behind the Scenes - Week 32

Nugget of the Week

Choosing to see things through a different lens and perspective changes the whole picture. What could you reframe for a better outcome? It is easy for we introverts to get caught up in overthinking and catastrophizing, letting self-doubt cloud our judgment.

Our inner-critic, mine is called Gladys – can get us ruminating and making mountains out of molehills. However, if we intentionally and consciously reframe how we look at challenges and obstacles, we can turn obstacles into opportunities for growth.

Instead of focusing on how we might fail, if we invest ourselves in recognising our strengths and uniqueness that has helped us succeed in the past, we can truly change the game.

We introverts need to reframe our perspective to look at challenges as opportunities for growth and resilience. Less anxiety, more power, just exactly what we need.

This Sh** Really Happened!

Well, this week I also want to share two testimonials in ‘This Shi* Really Happened!’ because there is ‘Shi*’ and there is ‘Good Shi*’ and what I am about to share is some GREAT SHI*!

A company's VP called about my Podcast

Remember the person who gave me the feedback on my podcast?

It was the VP of an Australian Consulting Firm operating across 4 continents, who was touched by the ripples of my work. To my absolute surprise, the VP directly called me to say this..

“I handled ‘The Difficult’ with all project leaders as well as the CEO, equipped with clarity and a decisive action strategy by listening back to your episode 3 times this morning. Some of the long pending decisions were discussed and finalised in a single 35 minute group call. All I needed was to be ready to deal with the difficult with confidence. Everything is now moving the way I wanted 6 months ago. I have now subscribed.”

I absolutely recognise the significance of a multi-national company’s Vice President taking time out of their day. In that moment, and as the call ended, I knew that the ripples I’m creating have a far reaching effect.

One that I may never know the extent of.

Unexpected Heartwarming Public Testimonial

And as I hinted in the Reflections newsletter 02 of August 2024, it amazes me that wherever I go, someone is excited to tell me about how my work has positively impacted them, and it still gives me a little tingle which in turn inspires me on my mission.

A little while ago, at the start of a business retreat, we were doing our initial introductions around the table and I saw the woman sat opposite fix her gaze on me.

She then asked “Are you the Joanna who creates the Flourishing Introvert Talks podcast?”.

I said yes quietly.

She then said so excitedly and what was a completely heartwarming testimonial in front of whole audience, “I can’t begin to tell you how much your podcast has helped me. I’m here today on this retreat because you gave me the confidence to start my own business.”

I was struggling to hide my happy tears, and the introvert in me wanted to hide but in that moment I celebrated her kind testimonial with utmost gratitude.

The two real-life and unsolicited testimonials I shared above, are shared with a curious blend of pride and humility.

Evidence of more ripples!

And the BAD Shi*!

Finally, the ‘oh what!‘ kinda shi* that happened – I was lied to by an agent when buying a tech service, so I escalated issue, booked a call with their ‘coach’, got a refund and a spectacular deal.

But it gets worse!!! I found out the following day that the problem hadn’t been completely sorted so when I called again, a third agent tried to get me to unpick what the second had done.

Fortunately, they transferred me to the ‘termination’ department who confirmed that the second agent had given me the right advice and they just needed to do one more thing their end!

As you can imagine, I was tearing my hair out by this point, but credit where it was due, calmness saved the day. Let that be a reminder to us all.

Shi* happens but it can usually be sorted out with time, patience and good intentions.

Coming up, Buttercup!

As you know, at the House of Flourishing Introverts, we are celebrating August as the ‘Introvert Celebration Month’ – and as part of that celebration I am offering once in a life time, never to repeat again bonuses with my Flip Your Limiting Beliefs course.

I understand just too —a lifetime of feedback can leave us feeling ‘less than’ in some way.

However, we are far from ‘less than.’ When we recognise that we are ‘more than,’ we unlock our potential to create a life we love, to believe in ourselves, and to intentionally hold firm boundaries.

My course is designed to guide you on this flourishing journey, empowering you to take control and make meaningful, lasting changes.

If you’re tired of thinking you can’t and ready to say ‘watch me’, it’s time to consider the Flip Your Limiting Beliefs course.

Offer ends on August 20. Sign-up!

–

Got a question? Contact my team at quietly@flourishingintroverts.com  

Behind-the-scenes: WEEK 31

Behind the Scenes - Week 31

Nugget of the Week

When we start to be intentional & choose to notice what we’re actually doing on automatic pilot, we have some decisions to make. What stays and what changes?

To flourish as an introvert doesn’t happen by accident. It requires us to be intentional in actively deciding our day-to-day routine and being conscious about our behaviour, as well our habits if we truly wish to liberate ourselves from a default auto-pilot life.

Taking note of our own actions, evaluating the impact of our choices, and ensuring they are in alignment with our authentic-self and our inner-purpose, feeds us the clarity we need.

When we operate from this place of self-awareness our choices are more intentional and in-sync with our values. It helps us decide if we need to let go of a habit, behaviour, possession, or person. This helps us grow and flourish with integrity, authenticity and confidence.

This Sh** Really Happened!

Recently, my PR Team noticed something odd and hence I attended the presentation of someone I had been in touch with and noticed that it felt flat and uninspiring. If the delivery style wasn’t monotonous and mechanical enough already, the content truly made it a challenge to stay awake – and I kid you not!

I rarely say something negative about anyone because I believe we are all different and we all have value to offer in our own unique way. But this chap had a fairly large following yet not much traction, and going by his delivery (content and style) I was surprised if not shocked, as to how he had this following yet next to nil engagement.

This all left me feeling a bit wobbly, (watch out – comparisonitis alert!) as I was left wondering how such a (dare I say) uninspiring individual could have such a large following, yet despite so many people constantly telling me how inspiring and helpful they find my content – I have a far, far smaller following. 

Fortunately, an industry professional I personally know and trust explained to me, with evidence, that this chap has been buying the ‘views’ and ‘followers’, hence making himself appear more successful and in-demand than he really is. 

I cannot tell you how disappointed I felt that people literally fake their success, and not because of impostor syndrome, but because they intentionally want to mislead people. But in the very same moment I felt relieved and was reminded of the compliments and thank you messages I receive both in-person and via emails and chats, telling me how my work has been impacting people’s professional and personal lives on the ground. 

I felt immense gratitude to come out on the other side of my wobble with my integrity intact and confidence reignited. 

Coming up, Buttercup!

Unfortunately, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we’re not capable of making our next career move, shifting our priorities, or making significant life changes. I understand—a lifetime of feedback can leave us feeling ‘less than’ in some way.

However, we are far from ‘less than.’ When we recognise that we are ‘more than,’ we unlock our potential to create a life we love, to believe in ourselves, and to intentionally hold firm boundaries. My course is designed to guide you on this flourishing journey, empowering you to take control and make meaningful, lasting changes.

If you’re tired of thinking you can’t and ready to say ‘watch me’, it’s time to consider the Flip Your Limiting Beliefs course.

Offer ends on August 20. Sign-up!

–

Got a question? Contact my team at quietly@flourishingintroverts.com