Here’s a surefire way to boost your energy and it’s not a vitamin. It’s easier and more natural than popping a pill — it’s authentically living your personal style. I’m referring specifically to understanding your innate preference for Extraversion or Introversion.

Consider the following:

~Extraversion and Introversion are not about friendliness, popularity, or public speaking savvy. Those attributes are common but inaccurate measures of these two personality preferences.

~The preference we each have for Extraversion or Introversion is actually an indication of what naturally energizes us.

~Extraverts are typically energized externally by action and “doing”. Introverts are actually energized internally by thoughts, ideas, and what often appears as simply “being”.

~So, when an Extravert has had a long day, it’s helpful for them to get moving, to get out and about, and to interact with people. Extraverts get their batteries recharged with lots of people and activity…often, the more the better! The thought of being alone to a tired Extravert is usually unappealing and feels even more draining.

~When an Introvert needs to recover from a long day, it’s helpful for them to retreat. It could be reading, spending some time alone, or engaging in any gentle pastime they enjoy. Immersing themselves in a bit of solitude is sure to recharge an Introverts’ battery. To a tired introvert, the thought of mingling in a crowd will most likely sound undesirable and exhausting!

~The good news is that there isn’t a right or wrong, better or worse, desirable or undesirable aspect to our individual preference for Extraversion or Introversion. Just like you were born left- or right-handed, you were born with a tendency to be either an Extravert or an Introvert.

What matters is that you know your preference and manage your energy accordingly. For any of us to enjoy life and achieve what matters, we need to be vibrant, balanced, and energized. So give it some thought, determine your preference, and then nurture your unique style.

Much success,

Julie

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Welcome to 2012! It’s a new year — did you make any resolutions? If so, how’s it going? Is your momentum good and your progress on track? Are you feeling committed and confident you’ll achieve whatever it is that you’ve set out to do this year?

If you’re like many people, you may have passed on resolutions altogether. Or perhaps you set out with great enthusiasm but already feel your motivation waning. Regardless of your specific situation, consider a new way. A better way. An easier and more effective way.

Here are some new perspectives on ‘resolutions’ and on making them happen:

~What if instead of hard and fast resolutions or goals you set priorities or intentions? A bit more relaxed, equally compelling.

~What if instead of pushing yourself or striving to accomplish your priorities or intentions, you lean into them? Gently, consistently, effectively.

~What if instead of only acknowledging big segments of progress, you measure yourself based on any reasonable effort you make toward those things that matter most?

~What if instead of feeling down because you haven’t taken enough action or worse yet, listening to your inner critic’s belittling comments, you celebrate any forward progress?

~What if  instead of abandoning your priorities or intentions at the first sign of slippage, you reconsider and refine your approach and then allow yourself a second chance? Or a third, fourth…

This isn’t simply about semantics or wordplay. This is about reframing what you really want to achieve in a way that is positive, actionable, and most importantly, sustainable.

It’s still early in the year; you have time to shift your perspective. After all, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I don’t know about you, but I’m always open to any new framework that increases the ease in my life and yields the quality results I most want.

Happy New Year,

Julie

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