Check out this great interview by Marie Forelo with Susan Cain, author of the best selling book Quiet -- which by the way mentions me, the HSP Gatherings, Elaine Aron & HSPs. (Susan attended a HSP Gathering in 2005) I think it is excellent and provides great insights and tips for the HSP to thrive in the world ! marieforleo/2013/11/susan-cain-introverts-networking/ ~~~Each time you hear the word ‘introvert’ just put in the word HSP and you’ll know what I mean Here are my main “take aways” from this interview as they apply to HSPs. These are all things we talk about at the HSP Gathering Retreats as well ! 1)When out in the world look for those who are like you – after all 15-20% of the population are HSPs 2) There are many HSPs who have found a way to be out in the world, fueled by their passions. They are making huge impacts in the world, and so can you ! 3) It is important to know yourself and your own strengths …Utilizing tools such as the Ennegram and Myers Briggs are important stepping stones to owning your strengths, and understanding your weaknesses. 4) Sometimes it is actually okay to be “inauthentic” – if it is serving a greater purpose – i.e. protecting your unique HSP self for the time being. 5) It is okay and quite normal to limit the number of activities you chose to participate in, and how long you chose to stay at such activities. I always take my own car to any event so that I can leave when I want and/or need to. This is also another way of “Focusing on Needs, Not Approval” and honoring our boundaries which are necessary in taking good care of our HSP selves ! 6) It is important to create support systems, and/or ask for help from those whose strengths are different from your own. This includes the Non-HSPs in your life. I find many HSPs unnecessarily isolate themselves from others who could actually bring much into their lives….but only if we have good boundaries, good self-esteem, and value our own unique contributions to the relationship or task at hand. And, yes, this does take work for most HSPs – especially since many of us have to work through years of being invalidated, not only by the culture, but sadly, often by our own families or friends. 7) Your perceived weaknesses about your HSP trait are most likely your greatest strengths – you only need to identify them, nurture them, and find the courage to express them. Brene Brown’s work on Daring Greatly is helping thousands do just this ! And I hope my work with the HSP Gathering Retreats is doing the same, in a much smaller way – And of course, I do believe it is ~ at least that is what most of the participants share with me – that the HSP Gatherings are life-changing. It’s ironic to me when I say “in a much smaller way” – which seems so counter to what we think of as an Extrovert – yet, this is my own comfort zone – as an Extrovert, HSS -- working in smaller ways -- Yet, its all relative, isnt it? I am very interested in the work Susan is doing with her Quiet Revolution organization, mentioned in the last part of the interview. It sounds like she is developing tools and strategies for the Introvert to show up authentically in the world. I’m certain many of these same tools and strategies can also be utilized by the HSPs, so I encourage you to stay up to date with her work.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 19:34:36 +0000