Being an introvert is a beautiful gift, but If you do not have the right perspective, you won’t see it that way.

I am an introvert.

As a child and a teenager, I struggled to connect with other people, and would shy away from social settings. However, through college, I was able to embrace my introverted personality and transform it into a strength.

It completely changed the way I approach relationships, business, parties, and everything in between.

Growing up, I was always on the shy side. In kindergarten, my aunt, Deen, would wait outside the door of the class so that I felt comfortable. She would even give me little smiley-faced pebbles to put in my pocket to look at when I was feeling nervous.

But it couldn’t stop me from crying. Whether it was the big scary teacher, or the loud, rambunctious kindergarteners, I didn’t feel like I fit.

Fast forward to my Sophomore year of college. I was playing Division 1 baseball at a college in the heart of the Midwest. Although I was talented, I didn’t exactly fit the baseball player persona… (if you know baseball players, you may know what I mean)

One day, the coach called me into his office to have a chat.

“You just don’t have soft skills,” he said, “it’s like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole with you.”

Neither he nor I knew it at the time, but that coach just told me one of my biggest strengths.

Going into my Junior year, I started reading books like “Can’t hurt me” by David Goggins, and listening to podcasts by Tim Ferris and Chris Do.

I began to realize many of the people I look up to most are introverts, my parents included.

They also feel awkward in social situations. They also choose the gym over parties. They also value a few deep relationships over a thousand superficial ones.

I began to realize, this wasn’t a curse, but a strength.

Because I listen and collect my thoughts, I speak with intention.

Because I reflect on my opinions, I can formulate deeper conversations with people.

Because I observe, I can offer a unique perspective.

So much of my life changed when I decided to move “introvert” from the “con” side of the board to the “pro”.

Now, I am 26 years old and happily married.

I am an entrepreneur, which has it’s daily challenges. It often forces me to be in front of groups of people and speak.

The old me would have had a panic attack at the thought of this… And the new me still feels that deep down.

However, now I understand that nobody cares how I do. They are all worried about themselves. And the rare person who has found a way to break out of their prison of self-consciousness is your biggest cheerleader.

I own my introversion. I say it, loud and proud (or maybe quiet and proud).

People respect it. I respect it.

Your introversion is a strength. Once you can look at it that way, everything gets easier.