Do you consider yourself more of an introvert or extrovert? Maybe somewhere in the middle?
If you’re unsure where you fall on the spectrum, take this quiz.
While there’s nothing wrong with being shy and reserved, there’s no denying that an outgoing personality will take you far in life. Here are the benefits of being an extrovert:
- Greater career success
Studies show that being outgoing gives you an advantage in the workplace. Extroverted people are more motivated by rewards, perform better on the job and earn more than their introverted colleagues.
In fact, most leaders are extroverts. In fact, 96% of senior executives display outgoing personalities. And, the higher you go up the corporate ladder, the greater chance you have to come across extroverts.
- Happier and healthier than most people
According to research published by the American Psychological Association, when participants act more extroverted, they feel happier. Interestingly, researchers also found that outgoing behavior may promote well-being. There’s a direct link between being social and positive affect –a person’s inclination to experience positive emotions and interact with others in a more positive way.
- Keen ability to navigate difficult social situations
Don’t know anyone in the room? No problem. Interacting with strangers doesn't scare an outgoing person. Being friendly and engaging, extroverts thrive at networking events and have a knack for making people at ease in different social environments.
- Better able to handle stressful situations
Outgoing people are more optimistic by nature. As a result, they cope with challenges in a healthier, more productive way. When something stressful or unexpected happens, extroverted people don’t immediately go to the worst case scenario in their minds. They stay calm, think about possible solutions and believe that everything will work out.
- Make new connections easily
Extroverts thrive in social environments, drawing energy from the people around them. At a party, they are probably going from group to group and making conversation with everyone. At work, they are the ones who don’t hesitate to speak up during meetings, and enjoy collaborating with their team.
- Experience positive emotions more often
As mentioned above, there is a connection between being social and positive affect, which is defined as “the extent to which an individual subjectively experiences positive moods such as joy, interest, and alertness.”
“Positive emotions are worth cultivating, not just as end states in themselves but also as a means to achieving psychological growth and improved well-being over time,” the American Psychological Association reports.
Fun fact: did you know positive emotions can help protect you against work burnout?
- High emotional intelligence
If you’re outgoing, you’re also a people person. You’re skilled when it comes to verbal and nonverbal communication, which makes you adept at reading others and responding to their emotional needs. People with high emotional intelligence (EQ) are able to connect on a deep and meaningful level with others and as a result, enjoy fulfilling relationships.
In fact, IQ only makes up approximately 10% of professional and personal success. The rest is other factors, including EQ. Hiring managers are even using an EQ test to sort through potential candidates.
Want to Be More Outgoing? Try these 3 Tips
The core of an outgoing personality is confidence. However, there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding confidence, what it means and how to get it.
The biggest myth is that confidence is a personality trait. It’s not. It’s a skill, which means it’s something you can learn and develop over time. To help you get started, check out these three simple yet effective techniques:
- Focus more on connecting with people and less on impressing them
It’s human nature to want to be liked, but outgoing people don’t worry as much about the opinions of others. They understand that some people will like them, some people won’t and they accept that.
In order to connect with others, you need to become comfortable in your own skin. This is what will naturally boost your confidence. And it’s incredibly liberating when you can make this mental shift.
- Raise your self-awareness
Self-awareness is knowing yourself on the deepest level. What motivates you? What are your values and beliefs? A strong sense of self-awareness enables you to follow your purpose and live an authentic, fulfilling life. Knowing yourself is the key to truly connecting with others.
- Stop hesitating and start taking action
When someone asks you to go to a party, say yes! Don’t worry about how many people you know. Don’t think about whether or not you’re going to have fun. Rather than overthinking and making excuses, start making it a habit to say yes and take action. This simple mental trick will naturally boost your confidence.
The next time you catch yourself hesitating, remember the power of the five second rule. Mel Robbins, motivational speaker and author of The 5-Second Rule, explains the science behind why it’s important to take action now.
“If you have an impulse to act on a goal, you must physically move within 5 seconds or your brain will kill the idea,” she says.
Our brains are designed for short-term satisfaction, not long-term gain. It’s wired to protect us whether it’s a real threat or a perceived one.
And so, the moment we hesitate – and take longer than five seconds to make a decision - in a new, scary or uncertain situation, our brains will step in and stop us.
Ready to put these tips to the test?
You’ve got this!