Your Introversion Is a Core Part of Your Personal Operating System
Your introversion is a major component of the operating system that is your personality. Here’s a look at the key elements of your introverted OS.
Depending on whom you ask, your computer runs on either a superior operating system (OS) or an inferior one.
Macintosh people, for example, will gleefully tell you that Apple’s OS is the best. They will then follow up with disparaging remarks about Microsoft Windows.
PC people, on the other hand, will insist that the Windows OS is the best. They will then—wait for it—follow up with disparaging remarks about Apple.
And, naturally: The devoted Linux people will claim true OS supremacy, then follow up with disparaging remarks about both Apple and Windows.
It’s all in good fun, of course—well, maybe—but in the end it’s a pointless discussion.
Why?
Because there is no best computer operating system.
There are merely different operating systems, all of which perform the basic function you need (“run my computer, please”) but merely do so in different ways, which in turn leads to them all having their own respective strengths and weaknesses.
Introversion Is an Operating System
You can think of your introversion (and extroverts can think of their extroversion, too) in a similar way.
It’s a core subcomponent of your personal operating system, with consistent preferences and tendencies that are constantly humming in the background as you go about your life each day.
And just as there is no better or best computer operating system, there is no better or best personal operating system.
Your introversion isn’t better than someone else’s extroversion (and vice versa).
Your introversion just is.
It exists, and it’s a key part of you.
So you need to understand the pieces of “code” that drive it—and that thus drive you.
Key Elements of the Introverted Operating System
Here’s a list of the key elements of the introverted operating system:
Like all such lists, this is only a generalized overview. As you look at it yourself, you will undoubtedly nod vigorously at some of the items and brush off others as ill-fitting. That’s normal and to be expected.
What’s critical is for you to identify which of these elements most describe you, and which therefore are the most important ones to incorporate into your daily life.
You’ll find that the elements of the introverted operating system fall into several broad themes:
Quality vs. quantity; depth vs. breadth. You’d rather do one or two things well vs. trying to do five or six things only adequately. You’d prefer to become an expert in one area vs. a generalist in several realms.
Single/small vs. large. You’d rather talk to somebody one on one, or perhaps in a very small group of two or three, vs. trying to navigate the crowd at a larger event (which typically has both more people and more background noise).
Deliberate vs. fast. You’d prefer to take your time and think carefully about whatever it is you’re working on. You can work quickly if you have to, and you often must, but you do better when you can be thorough.
Independence/autonomy vs. teams/groupwork. You prefer working alone, running your own schedule, and maintaining your own approach to doing things. You can work on teams, but you focus better and ultimately perform better working solo.
Structure/planfulness vs. fluidity and unexpected change. You thrive on routine, and you prefer a solid plan vs. “winging it.” You can adapt, as everyone must from time to time, but you’d rather be prepared and ready.
Give Your Introverted OS Its Due
If you can at least pinpoint which of these broader themes matter most to you, you’ll be well on your way to better knowing—and better understanding and leveraging—your introverted operating system.
Respect that system and you will generally function quite well.
Disregard it and you’re asking for a crash.
