You would think the most awkward time to be an introvert is the moment my toe hits the steps.
When I step onto a stage to do the thing I love most.
To sing my heart out in front of crowds of people. To lay my heart and soul out there for the world to see. To encourage uplift, inspire and exhort through words, singing and strutting on the stage with my best introvert confidence.
Nope.
That’s not the most awkward time.
The most awkward time for me as an introvert, is the moment the event or service ends.
When we are all dismissed after an Amen, or see you next time. And I have to look at the person next to me, behind me, in front of me, and… say something.
What is that something? I don’t know, it depends! This is the part that’s super wierd and frustrating for me.
It’s like, depending on the event, I may need to network. I may need to chat with someone I know (or don’t know) about something regarding music or blogging or skin care, or any other entrepreneurial endeavor I’m working on.
It’s schmoozing. It’s small talk. It’s getting contact information that I will definitely use because I’m an entrepreneur. And contact information is super important to entrepreneurs.
As a Business Major in college, I learned the importance of small talk. And I’ve read books about it, watched youtube videos about it, read articles about it. I have researched, and I’ve put my best efforts into applying what I learn.
But something about networking just feels un-genuine to me as an introvert.
Introverts Hate Small Talk
In general, introverts hate small talk. Because we thrive off of genuine connection. And what type of genuine connection can you make with someone off of 2 minutes of convention talk, pray tell?
If you don’t know what convention talk is, it’s something coined by musicians. It’s basically the way musicians network. It’s when you go to music conventions and talk to other musicians. And you say, “hey we gotta work!” type things. Meaning we should do some music together at some point. It’s not something you ever really intend to do, it’s just something nice to say to someone who is in your industry, and you respect that. You see them working hard, and so do you, and you’re rocking in the same boat, so to speak.
Networking, talking to others, and being genuinely interested in them is a necessary part of working for yourself and showing you’re a friendly, nice person. Because generally friendly people want to work with friendly, nice people who have a great disposition. First impressions are everything, and the way you present yourself during this time is super important.
You can also meet amazing new friends through being around new people in different settings. So it’s definitely good to just be open in general. Yes, it can be difficult. But even just having an open disposition helps! Things like not sitting with your arms and legs crossed, looking people in the eyes when you speak and having a relaxed look on your face go a long way.
My Biggest Weapon as an Introvert
One of my biggest weapons as introvert is my smile! I don’t always have a good poker face, but when i can remember I try to just throw on a smile. In the most awkward situations when I want to just say, “What the heck are you doing???” Instead I just throw on a smile, watch and wait!
I’m giving away some of my secrets now, haha! If you know me and you see me smile when something dumb is happening, you’ll be up on what’s probably happening in my head.
So the next time you hear, “You are dismissed, thanks for coming,” know you’re not alone. You’re in the good company of other introverts around the world. You’ll get through it!
Put on a smile, have your business cards at the ready. You never know who you’ll meet!
What’s the most awkward time for you as an introvert?
