Hey Right Brained Human 👋🏼 !

Welcome to another week of Being Right Brained – Inspiration and ideas for designers and creative folks to work, think, and feel better. In case you missed my last newsletter, see the full archive of past editions here)

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This week’s newsletter is dedicated to introverts and their creative superpowers

In the last 11 years, I have been able to work with the best organizations in the country, mentor countless people in 1:1 sessions, and write content that is read by thousands out there.

Everything I mentioned above requires a high level of interaction and people skills. That’s why I challenge the popular belief that introverts prefer ‘solitude’. This paradox forces a reserved introvert like me to muster the courage to engage wholeheartedly with the world.

Today I want to dive deeper into this paradox and explore the relationship between introversion, creativity, and the creative advantages introverts have. And how this dynamic can lead us to feel, think, and work better:

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#1. Introverts are not necessarily shy people. Solitude is not what they aspire for, but it does energize them, it's like they need alone time to recharge their batteries. They like to turn inwards 'first' for inspiration and ideas. It enables them to process information deeply, read between the lines, and discover meaningful solutions.

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#2. Here's a list of the most amazingly successful introverted creative minds in history.​

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#3. For introverts, engaging in small talk can often be challenging, they prefer deeper connections. This ultimately leads to meaningful networking experiences and opportunities.

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#4. Introverts often feel misunderstood and overwhelmed in social situations. Therefore, they develop empathy to protect themselves. Understanding other people's emotions and needs, helps introverts feel more comfortable in social interactions.

Interestingly, developing breakthrough solutions requires a lot of empathy. To continue to innovate, it's important to understand different perspectives, connect emotionally with others, and design solutions that meet their needs. That's why introverts make great designers - they inherently have the empathy and user-centered mindset required for effective design.

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#5. Introverts can get to the flow state faster! Susan Cain, her book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, explains:

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#6. If you find it hard to introduce yourself in new setups, it might be a good idea to write down your intro a few times until you have fully internalized it. This will help you articulate your intro better when you actually arrive in the new environment.

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#7. Sharing ideas in team meetings can feel intimidating, but I've found a strategy that works for me. I politely request not to go first in discussions, and people usually respect that. I actively listen to others' ideas, take time to process my thoughts, and then express myself through writing or speaking.

When I feel nervous or confused while speaking, I pause, smile, and say, "I just need a moment to gather my thoughts and articulate them clearly." This approach garners respect because it communicates that I am a thoughtful contributor and that my insights will be valuable to the project.

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#8 Found this article on How to navigate the creative industry as an introvert. Highlighting a quote that resonated:

“It’s ok to be shy, and
from the experiences I have learned from,
the only way to help is to just focus on
​what you want to say and
find words that are as precise as possible.”

– Yimiao Liu​
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#9. Lastly, I took this fun personality test to find out about my introverted traits. Here's what I found:

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Over to you now,

It's perfectly fine to be an introverted creative who prefers to be comfortable in the solitude of his home rather than going out, and at the same time be someone who attends events and excels at engaging conversations that impress people. There's no need to feel guilty about it!​
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Each person's path in this industry is unique, it's important to recognize that there is an appreciation for different ways of being and expressing oneself. Trust that there is a place for your talents and personality in this creative world, and build ways to use it well.

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​Lastly, in case you previously missed it, here's a link to The 35 Creative Blocks Cheat Sheet!​

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Note: In order to limit the information overload and to ensure that I share only the most valuable ideas and insights with you, I will be adjusting my newsletter frequency to twice a month instead of weekly.

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​Stay creative, ​
Apeksha
Right Brained Human

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