Back Up Again
After some MySql issues, we are back up and going. I lost about about a year’s worth of work…yes slap me now for not backing up, but I’ve learned my lesson now.
- Becki
Homeschool Days and Work-Filled Nights
Oh bla dee a bla da life goes on bla o o o o life goes on. I keep singing that over and over in my head. Similar to that of a Seinfeld episode where George’s father was stuck in his “serenity NOW” phase. 
OK, I’ll admit it, I thought I was Super Woman. While I’ll admit that I don’t do it all, I really, truly believed that I “could” do it all…then reality hit and it hit hard. After last week, I am ready to crash and burn by 3:30 pm.
See I started homeschooling this year through the PAVCS (Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School). The first day (Wednesday) went pretty well, except for some minor hurdles. Then Thursday and today were filled with woes…mostly in phonics. OK, truthfully phonics was never my thing. But I followed the instructions on the supplied video, grasped the concept of their method and off I went. I’m not sure if it’s my reluctance coming through but my son can’t stand it. He’s five and already reads, perhaps he just feels like he doesn’t need it. I lack patience, but I don’t think I ever displayed patience the way I did on Thursday morning. The boy was literally kicking and screaming, but I went on with the teaching. Finally after 60 and in utter desperation in a booming voice he said “I want my Daddy to teach me!!!!” So out came Daddy and he got through the lesson in 20 minutes. That night Daddy and I talk about him teaching the boy phonics and he agreed without hesitation.
Friday morning and the boy sat down eagerly at his desk and we thought we were pretty cool because everything was under control. NOT!!! (Can I emphasize that any more?) Calm before the storm was more like it. Five minutes into the lesson he was bored out of his mind and started acting out. 30 minutes into the lesson came “I want my Mommy to teach me!!!!” So what can we say. We taught it together, which worked for about 10 minutes…but at least we got through it.
My son and I “school” for about 5 and a half hours every weekday. It’s rewarding and pretty draining on an introvert like myself. At about 3:30 when we’re finished, I am spent. I am trying to figure out how to convince my husband that I need about an hour of unwind time after the school day is over…a nap would feel wonderful. I asked for one today and he was none too sympathetic of my plight. He explained that he goes to bed with me at night and I make him wake up at a specified time, even though he’s not a morning person, so it gets in his crawl when I ask for a nap in the afternoon because he too feels like he never gets a break. Don’t get me wrong, I totally understand where he is coming from. It’s not fair because I do have different expectations for him than I do for myself, so should I ask for a nap? Probably not, but still the only way I can describe my afternoons after school is “spent”…emotionally and physically. Think about it…even though I am working with a child, I am still exerting myself in an extrovert kind of way.
My evenings have been spent working, which I used to be able to accomplish during the day time. I can’t complain though. There are not many of us who have the ability to stay at home with our children and provide for them mentally and physically. I keep reminding myself that I can name about 25 people that I know who would kill for the life that I have.
Becki 
Introvert Vs. Fear
I got into an interesting discussion tonight regarding introverts in business. Some were blaming their “introversion” for the “fear” they have of networking in-person for their business.
Definitions:
Introversion - the act of directing one’s interest inward or to things within the self (American Heritage Dictionary)
Fear - a feeling of agitation and anxiety caused by the presence or imminence of danger (American Heritage Dictionary)
Just because you are introverted, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are shy and dislike people. It means that you draw energy and relief from your inner self. Now when networking in-person, I can totally understand the “fear” that many possess and it can cripple you if you aren’t careful.
Take a moment to assess the situation. Do you not want to attend the event (that is necessary to grow your business) because you are introverted? Or are you hesitant to attend the event because you are fearful of the outcome? I once heard that fear stood for “F”alse “E”vidence “A”ppearing “R”eal. What a true statement that is!!
Becki
Intimate Family Get Togethers
I haven’t been paying much attention to this blog for the past two weeks, so please forgive me. I have been working on several projects and for some reason, mine always take a back burner.
Yesterday was the 4th of July and we attended what I thought was going to be a family get together of the immediate family of my husband’s. When most people think of a family get together they think 5-10 people. Well our immediate family on my husband’s side totals 20 if we are all available at one time. Our “intimate” family get together of 20 turned into 45 and was so not what I bargained for. Couple the 45 with the fact that it rained like cats and dogs the entire evening and you have one little introvert who was totally out of her comfort zone.
I tried to make the best of a bad situation (in my mind) and really stretch myself and get to know others. So I scanned the soaking wet yard and focused on those standing alone, away from the crowd. On the outer edge of the crowd, I met Earl, who is a furniture salesman in York, PA and he had alot of wisdom about life in general. Then I met Angel, a single mother of two, who works full-time and attends college full-time. She was a hoot and when we talked about her life and her future plans, her eyes lit up brightly.
While I could have stewed over my anger of my intimate immediate family get together of 20 turned 45, I decided to make the best of a bad situation (in my eyes). I took some time to get to know others and I was blessed by the experience. But when I came home, I crashed and burned and sleep came more quickly than usual. But you know…it was worth it.
Some final thoughts…not only was the company of fellow introverts fantastic, but the fireworks were spectacular and the caliber was totally unexpected, considering we were in someone’s backyard. My husband and I usually take our son to a professional fireworks display every year on the 4th of July, but from now on, I think I am going insist on attending this intimate family get together of 20 turned 45. Who knows…maybe next year we can up it to 70!
But We Like Being Introverts
While surfing You Tube, I came across this cute video about introversion.
The description on You Tube is: Survive-in UST Introvert VTR. However, I think this leaves little be desired but the video itself is a cute little take on and explanation of introversion.
Enjoy!
You Guys Aren’t Introverts You’re Extroverts
My husband and I often hear from well meaning people, “come on level with me, you guys can’t be introverts, you’re so friendly and outgoing, you have to be extroverts!” One of the biggest misconceptions that introverts face is that they can be outgoing and social when need be, but it does not mean that they don’t feel it later. Let me explain.
Yesterday I was talking to a fellow INFP who gets the same response when she is out networking. Gobs of fellow networkers stare at her in disbelief when she tells them that she is an introvert. Their first response is “NO WAY!” Yes way! Like us, when she gets home she is exhausted and spent. Her energy is only replenished after of time of decompression and alone time.
As an introvert, when you are out networking, be sure to take the time to decompress and regain your lost energy. It is perfectly normal to feel very tired after a day or evening of constant socializing. When you are at the event, keep a pen handy and make notes on the backs of business cards because as the day or night goes on and the tiredness inevitably sets in, it is going to get harder and harder to remember what you want to say to each individual. Going to in-person networking events are a necessary evil when you are an entrepreneur or an employee of a company.
Remember to take each event in stride and prepare ahead of time for your alone time and decompression after the socialization period.
Becki
Marketing for Introverts
If there is one burning question that introverted business owners have, it’s “how do I market my business and get clients?”
The simplistic way of answering is, “you have to put yourself out there.” So what do I mean by that? You have to network, both online and in person. Many shudder when those words are spoken. It’s ok. Stop. Take a breath. Close your eyes. Take another breath. Inhale deeply. Exhale.
I found an article written by Nancy Ancowitz that appeared in the Wall Street Journal called Self-Marketing Rules For Successful Introverts, which sums up my feelings in a very eloquent way.
Later this week, I’ll add my take on it. But in the mean time I would love for you to answer the following:
1. How do you network?
2. What’s your preference? Why?
You can leave comments here or you can email them to me directly.
No Senseless Drivel Today
Wow! I was reading this article today Singing salesman makes Cowell’s jaw drop. I’m inspired and impressed…and even cried a little! The article does not state that Paul Potts is an introvert, but with the modesty he displays, I truly believe that he is.
Paul has overcome all sorts of adversity including a tumor, a shattered collarbone and a burst appendix. This is truly one amazing story.
Please take just a moment to view his performance. You’ll be impressed I’m sure!
Introverts Are More Likely To Induldge In Deviant Computer Activity
I came across an article titled: Introverted IT students more inclined to cyber-crime recently and was quite intrigued. Towards the beginning of the article we are hit with:
The result might seem unsurprising, given the stereotypical image of computer geeks as socially inadequate.
What shocks me most is that this article and “research” is based solely on 77 students who responded to an anonymous questionnaire. Here is yet another piece of “research” that the media and other extroverts will use to further the introvert stereotype.
What are your thoughts?
Becki
From Introverts to Extroverts…?
I’ll be the first to admit that Steve Pavlina produces some great stuff, but now I’m a little torn. Today, while browsing through the archives, I came across a post from 2005 titled: How to Go From Introvert to Extrovert. To be honest, I was kind of ticked as I started reading the article, especially because I am comfortable with my introversion. I am not a social butterfly, but can be if put in the right situation, granted I am drained at the end. I don’t lack social skills, I’m not exactly comfy, but I can hold my own. Perhaps I do overvalue my online friendships, but I have more of a kinship with them than with acquaintances in my area.
Steve then goes on to give introverts advice for becoming extroverts. While this is great advice for those who want it, I just don’t get it. I am comfortable with who I am. My coaching clients are comfortable with who they are. We aren’t social outcasts who sit at home eating bon bons watching life pass us by through our window. Neither are all introverts sitting in the shadows waiting for life to happen. My husband and I are both introverts and successful entrepreneurs out to change the world, one business owner at a time.
Extroverts and introverts are wired differently, with distinct chemical makeups. Extroverts lack dopamine and have to work to replenish it. Introverts produce excess dopamine and suffer from overload. I am a believer that there are stages in your life where you can be borderline and perhaps shift all together, but it is not realistic to think that all introverts can automatically (or with hard work) shift from introversion to extroversion. Just like it’s not realistic to think that all introverts and dying to be extroverts.
Becki
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