An Introvert’s Advantage
Making time for silence and incorporating quiet reflective thinking time is beneficial for all and a necessity for introverts. The power of silence can literally be your secret weapon of advantage.
It is well documented that many successful people have placed importance on the need to set aside time to think. To name just two highly successful people that regularly incorporate setting aside time to just think are Bill Gates and Warren Buffet.
Silence is Golden
Bill Gates has ‘think weeks’ where he takes himself to a secluded location to do just that. Buffett credits the significant time he spends reading and reflecting to be key to his success.
Introverts are naturally silent so this is where I and fellow introverts have the advantage of harnessing all of the benefits solitude can give us.
My personal solitude practice is to regularly go to my local library. I seek out a cozy nook where I can feel relaxed to do nothing but read and think. The actual thinking needs to be productive positive thinking. There’s no sense in setting aside valuable time if it will be wasted in ruminating in negativity or indulging your inner critic.
Contemplation tips
For tips on limiting and controlling negative thoughts you can read my blog Flip the Script. Another blog that compliments this blog is Keep Part of Your Life Secret. There is power in keeping some things to yourself. You can control when you are ready to share with others.
Schedule 15 minutes
We all can spare 15 minutes, and you can start small even just three or so times a week. If you can make a conscious decision to block out 15 minutes to think and have time to yourself, you are making a great start. For more tips on 15 minute think blocks and benefits you listen to a short but sweet podcast from The Ambitious Introvert called Solitude for Success.
Books
I’m currently reading Turning Down the Noise by Christine Jackman. The place I’m reading it is at my local library straight off the shelf. As I am a slow reader, I don’t always actually borrow all the books I read from the library sometimes I read in house. It seems very fitting to be reading this type of book in a library, my happy place.
There is sure to be a range of similar books at your local library. second hand or retail book shops.
Pause for Thought
Flip the popular term ‘awkward silences’ as simply pausing for thought. Instead of filling in silences with meaningless or inappropriate words when conversational gaps arise, we can choose to leave them as is. Give yourself time to think of the right thing to say. It is totally fine to bring up the topic at a later time and add what you have thought subsequently. Equally you may realize staying silent was the best option.
Daydreaming is good!
Despite what some might say, daydreaming can be very beneficial. Letting your mind wander can be good for mental well-being in addition to laying foundations for action. There are times to just zone out and let your mind go blank but there can also be more productive daydreaming that has your ‘future you’ in mind. Personally, I have a notebook and pen with me when I make time for productive daydreaming. When I have any enlightening answers to anything I am wanting to achieve I’ll write them down to formulate a course of action.
You can spend time thinking about what you want to accomplish from the smallest of things to the biggest. If you’re going to dream you might as well dream BIG!
Lights Camera Action
Think of your mind as the camera and the lights are the ideas that flow when we prioritize time to think. Just like the set of a movie where the camera needs to be rolling and the lights turned on in preparation and before action takes place. While this blog has focused on the lights and camera part, you can read my blog Introvert Motivation that focuses on taking action.
