One thing I absolutely hate about most videos or books about how to be successful in a creative field as an introvert is that they basically tell you to just fake being an extrovert. This helpful video takes the opposite approach, showing you how to embrace your strengths as an introvert to be a successful photographer.
Coming to you from Sean Tucker and featuring Simon Baxter, this helpful video examines how to function in a world that can sometimes seem more naturally suited to extroverts. No one likes pretending to be someone they're not, and when you're working in a field that requires you to be creative, that can cause a very real detriment to your creativity, as you're censoring who you actually are beneath that veneer. As the video details, being extroverted is not actually required for creative or financial success, and there are many skills an introvert possesses that when embraced properly can give them a distinct advantage. And of course, I think it also makes it easier both to be happy and to feel fulfilled; self-actualization is hard enough without pretending to be someone you're not.
Lead image by Nur Andi Ravsanjani Gusma, used under Creative Commons.
Watched this video yesterday. It's very insightful and I could relate to a lot of what he said. Trying to be someone you're not becomes very tiring after a while, and it's only a matter of time before you get found out.
I do struggle in social situations, which frustrates me a lot. But I've long since accepted I'm an introvert and have learned to embrace the positives of such a character trait.
Fantastic video! Although, frankly, the gem for the introverts watching was the last 5-10 minutes where Simon was describing how to deal with competing extroverts for clients.
Yeah, the whole video was excellent but the first 15 minutes is more encouragement for introverts to be ok in their (our) own skin. The part where he talks specifics about competing with extroverts to gain clients starts at 15:14.
I can do the "alpha male" thing when required, but, as an introvert, it really saps my energy. I like this video's description of introverts, our strengths, and how we best look after ourselves. He has some good tips about competing with extroverts for work, too.