What is an empowered introvert?

Given that I’ve been talking a lot recently about the bravery it takes to become an empowered introvert, I thought it would also be good to spend some time exploring what it actually means to be one.

The Cambridge dictionary defines empowerment as: “the process of gaining freedom and power to do what you want or to control what happens to you”

I like that definition!  But rather more problematically, they also define an introvert as being: “someone who is shy, quiet, and prefers to spend time alone rather than often being with other people”

I could (and maybe one day I will!) write a whole different blog post about the problems with dictionary definitions of introversion.  For now, take a look at my previous blog post ‘What is introversion?’ if you want a better exploration of how to define introversion.

Anyway, through my years of coaching introverts I have come to the conclusion that an empowered introvert is one who:

• Knows that their gifts and talents are valuable to the world.
• Respects their need for rest and knows when and how to recharge their energetic batteries.
• Recognises the ways that they are playing small because of their conscious and unconscious fears.
• Articulates the message that is so important to them they are willing to make it their life’s work.
• Steps out of their comfort zone in a way that feels good for them.
• Cultivates relationships so that they are nourishing rather than draining.

Does that also resonate with you?  Is there anything else that you would add to this list?

The journey of empowerment

We live in a world where we are all encouraged to disempower ourselves by not listening to our own inner wisdom.  We also live in a world where there are systems and structures that are designed to disempower certain groups of people in particular.

But neither of these facts change the truth that we all also frequently disempower ourselves by choosing behaviours that are designed to keep us small (and safe) rather than happy and fulfilled.  An empowered introvert is someone who has been brave enough to choose a different path.

The journey of becoming an empowered introvert can be summarised in terms of going from predominantly thinking thoughts like ‘I have to’ and ‘I should’ to predominantly thinking thoughts like ‘I choose to’ or even ‘I’m so lucky that I get to.’  This is a significant shift that will open space for so much more enjoyment in your life than is possible when you are operating from a place of victimhood.  Empowerment may sound like a bit of a ‘macho’ word, but in my experience true empowerment takes the form of allowing this life to actually be fun!

But even though we will open ourselves up to more joy as we travel this path of empowerment, there are also times when the journey to get you there will feel very hard.  There are ways that we are benefitting from all of our current coping mechanisms and getting honest about what’s really going on for us may feel uncomfortable.  Choosing happiness may at times feel like the hardest thing you have ever done.

Do you want to find out more?

And if you’re intrigued to learn more about what this journey of empowerment might look like for you then you might want to check out my group coaching experience, The Empowered Introvert Adventure.

Over the course of six months, the Adventure takes a small group of introverts through all the steps required for you to think, feel and act like an empowered introvert.  I only run the Adventure once per year, so if you’re interested to find out when it will next be running take a look here.