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
However, if we intentionally and consciously reframe how we look at challenges and obstacles, we can turn obstacles into opportunities for growth.
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!
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.