There is no shortage of evidence available that introverts can be highly successful people. In fact, there is already a strong history of introverts who have done just that including myself. I’m in good company which includes former U.S. Presidents, First Ladies, artists, writers (Dr. Seus!), and many prominent business men and women.
I have enjoyed great success as an introvert and believe you can too. You just need to learn how to approach business from your comfort zone. Over the next weeks, I’ll be sharing what I’ve learned with you as an introverted entrepreneur. Starting with
7 Tips for the Introverted Entrepreneur
1.Learn to network on your own terms.
Networking is a constant struggle for introverts. Unfortunately, when you own your own business it’s necessary to make connections that will build your business. The good news is you can find ways to network that work for you. Some people prefer to network through social media, online message boards, forums, or through small groups and organizations.
The key is to find what works for you and that you’re comfortable with. If in person networking drains your energy, as it does me, concentrate on making connections online. This can mean selecting a few groups on Facebook to join and engage in on a regular basis.
2.Find amazing mentors and work with them.
Starting your own business is stressful. There are a lot of moving parts to manage. Working with a mentor not only gives you access to advice and guidance from someone who has been there and done that but it also offers you an opportunity to interact one-on-one which is where you often shine. Choose someone who, while they may not be an introvert themselves, understands the introvert personality.
3.Accept help when offered and delegate when necessary.
Anytime someone is willing to help you grow your business, it’s a great thing. Once you reach a point where you have employees working for you, don’t hesitate to delegate tasks that pull you away from the focus of growing your business and cultivating key relationships with clients, vendors, and staff. Build a team that not only has complementary skill sets but diverse personalities.
However, you should also be aware of how you experience different personalities. As an introvert you may find that some people just drain your energy simply by being themselves. You can accept and honor all personality types but choose who you let in your inner circle. Having a team member who drains you will not be productive.
4.Schedule your own time-outs and opportunities to recharge.
Even when working long hours to build your business, as an introvert, you will need time away from the crowd so you can relax and recharge. It isn’t merely a matter of resting. It’s about finding moments away from the “noise” and chaos of owning and operating a business and interacting with so many other people. This is a must. Even if you need to pencil it in, your business will be better off as a result.
What you do to recharge is unique to you! Some people like to curl up with a good book and their favorite beverage. For me recharging looks totally different. My top choices are racing down the drag strip or cruising with the top down in my convertible.
5.Don’t try to change who you are. Work to your strengths instead of focusing on your weaknesses.
It’s worth repeating – Don’t Try To Change Who You Are. This was a really hard lesson for me to learn! Post it on your computer, your bathroom mirror or somewhere else you see every day until you believe it!
So many introverts allow others to convince them it is necessary to change in order to own a successful business. The truth is, the traits that are essential to your nature as an introvert can be essential to your success in business. Don’t change in order to achieve success; simply find a way to make your own noise in a world that always seems to be talking.
How do I handle those people who offer well meaning but misguided advice to change? I smile and say, “I got this. Thank you.”
6.Choose a business that works for you (not against you.)
One of the biggest gifts you can give yourself as an introverted entrepreneur is a career path that plays to your strengths rather than firmly planting you outside of your comfort zone. There are many careers that are ideal for people who are introverted by nature. SmallBizTrends offers an impressive list that includes a few careers you might find appealing, such as:
- Accounting
- Blogging
- Creating apps
- Translating services
- Virtual assistant (my choice!)
- Editor
- Illustrator
- Visual artist (pottery, painting, sculpting, etc.)
As you can see, there are plenty of career choices that allow you to start your own business and grow it without stepping too far outside of your natural tendencies as an introvert.
7.Avoid making rash decisions.
This is something most introverts do instinctively. However, you could be pushed or prodded into doing something for your business that you haven’t thought through yet if you aren’t careful. Don’t let that happen to you. Take your time and carefully consider your options when making decisions that affect your business.
Through the last sixteen years I’ve had my business, many well meaning people have prodded me to do one thing or another that was totally out of my comfort zone. One of these is to do live videos. Yes, live videos are a phenomenal marketing and networking tool! No, it doesn’t work for me! I tried live videos and pre-recorded videos until I found a way to use the power of video marketing while staying true to myself. You may need to look for alternatives or get creative but take your time to make the choices that work for you.
Are you an introvert and an entrepreneur? How have you made it work for you? I’d love to hear from you, please leave me a comment or join me on my Facebook page.
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