By the inverse property then, it would seem that the traditional definition of an introvert is “a loser.” However, we sophisticated students of Myers-Briggs know that this is not accurate. Introversion really just means that one draws energy from oneself, from one’s internal world and ideas. Introverts are deep thinkers. Philosophers. Spiritual leaders.
I have always wondered quite where I fall on the spectrum of “troversion” – Briggs (or Myers?) stresses that it is not a definitive label but rather a sliding scale with everyone exhibiting some traits of each. Without tooting my own horn (although M & B would doubtless excuse such impoliteness by deeming me “Feeling”), I can say that I generally like having others around me. I engage in an acceptable if not above average amount of varied social activities, and I feel comfortable in interactive settings. However, at the same time, I have always suspected that I am at heart a spiritual leader.
[M-B: “She’s so Intuitive.”]
Regardless of my future role in the church, however, it is true that I like spending time in my own head. I am comfortable alone and when reflecting on important matters I often like talking them through with just a few other people or talking them through with myself.
Clearly and like 99.8% of the population, I fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum and quite honestly it’s never really mattered precisely where. Until I realized recently that I no longer spend any time in my own head. Nor do I reflect on important matters. Any talking with myself is frenetic muttering of To Do lists and is most likely done on the bus.
[M-B: “Nut Job.”]
I’m a busy girl – aren’t we all – but it’s not so much the busyness as the wholly extroverted nature of activities I am engaging in. I work at an advertising agency as a Digital Project Manager. Meaning, in sum, that my job is to listen to what clients want and then badger my coworkers until they do it. Feeler that I am, I like to think that I have a good relationship with most of my coworkers. Nonetheless, I find that I may as well begin (and frequently do begin) any work correspondence with the following:
With a job that requires pretty constant interaction with others, a wise Extro-Introvert would probably choose to spend some of their free time in quiet reflection. Recommended activities might include running, playing an instrument, taking baths or owling. I however choose to lead groups of 15-25 women and the occasional Perceiving male in the exercise regimen called the Bar Method. I teach Bar Method classes before and sometimes after work, such that by the time I arrive at the office I have already been extroverting for several hours.
This is where the muttering on the bus comes in.
I am not complaining over the choices I’ve made. [M-B: “Yes she is.”] I’m simply stating that whether Extro-Introvert or Intro-Extrovert, everyone and especially we aspiring spiritual leaders need to take some time for ourselves.
This was driven home for me on Friday night as I found myself, having passed up the opportunity to go have a ridiculous amount of fun at a cabin in northern Wisconsin for the weekend and having just said “no” to happy hour, sitting alone at an outdoor patio drinking a glass of wine and reading a book. The entire weekend stretched before me and I had no plans. I asked myself what I would most like to be doing at that very moment if money were no object. The honest answer: Sitting alone at an outdoor patio drinking a glass of wine and reading a book in the south of France.
So essentially in an ideal world I would have been engaged in the exact same activity except in a place where I know absolutely no one and do not speak the language. This struck me as somewhat pathetic until I realized that Myers-Briggs had a perfectly valid explanation (M-B: "Excuse"): I have been neglecting my undefined percentage of Intro. In fact I have been extroverting the crap out of myself to the point where all energy is sapped and inner Mandy is stunted and laying on the floor in a prone position.
Two days later, having engaged in some nice solitary blog writing and aggressive owling, I think the balance has been restored. Lookout spiritual world, I am poised and ready to assume command.
My job is to annoy you.
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After all that, I am an Extrovert. Also an overwhelming Judger.
