3 lessons I learned going from an introvert to an extrovert

🔵 A side-effect of my networking journey was becoming an extrovert.

Just over 2 years ago, I was a completely different person.

Shy, quiet, and timid, I was a 3rd year uni student with no friends.

Today, my life looks a bit different:

• I have multiple friend groups

• I attend social events and even get invited to speak at some

• I have plans happening every weekend

I don’t say this to brag. I say this because I want to share my lessons with anyone looking to become more sociable.

Below are 3 lessons I learned going from an introvert to an extrovert.

Here’s the route for today

🦜 Topic: The 3 Lessons of Socializing

👟 Running the Web: Robot Skin, Presidential Debate, and More

⛵️ This Week in 1 Frame: Yacht Tech Party

TOPIC
🦜 The 3 Lessons of Socializing

Networking is a skill

How did I go from introvert to extrovert?

The answer was how I interpreted networking.

Networking is a skill.

And like any other skill, whether its learning a new instrument or picking up a new sport, you master it by consistent effort.

So, if networking is a skill, then the process of becoming an extrovert is also a skill.

This is important to understand because it forms the foundation for the upcoming 3 lessons.

Lesson 1: The best way to overcome the fear of doing something is to JUST do it

When we're scared of doing something new, it's because we fear the worst-case scenario - failing.

For me, that was having awkward conversations with strangers. My problem was my obsession with avoiding this failure.

However, once I accepted that I would be ok even if that did fail, I gained the courage needed to attend networking events.

So what if I had an awkward chat? There’s always another event to go to.

Accept the possibility of a worst-case scenario, and just dive into the attempt.

Lesson 2: Growth happens when you do things on the BORDER of your comfort zone

The age-old advice of doing things outside your comfort zone is wrong.

You should do things on the border.

If you've never driven before, you wouldn't go on the highway for your first time. Instead, you would go around your neighborhood with supervision.

Going too far outside your comfort zone will cause you to fail without having learned anything!

The key here is baby steps.

My first few attempts at socializing weren’t doing big speeches, it was joining student-led clubs on campus.

Start small, then build up once you’re comfortable.

Lesson 3: Real confidence isn't faked. It comes from solid evidence of experience

"Fake it till you make it," they say, well...it's another big lie.

In the beginning, my goal was to become a confident extrovert who could strike up a conversation with anyone. But as an introvert, how could I pretend to be sociable?

I couldn't.

Instead, my growth came from accepting that I would suck at socializing for the first few weeks before getting better.

Only by consistently attending networking events was I able to use those experiences as the solid evidence I needed for my confidence.

Closing Thoughts:

Becoming more sociable isn’t a personality switch, and it isn’t an overnight process.

But by doing these 3 things, you’ll build momentum and one day, you’ll look back and realize you’re a different person!

1. Overcome your fear of socializing by attending social events

2. Start small, attend smaller events to build confidence

3. Accept that you’ll suck at the beginning, everyone does

See you next Tuesday 🤝

-Michael Ly

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
👟 Running The Web

🤖 See you later Duolingo, ChatGPT’s newest model can teach you a new language 

🤡 Was this a South Park episode? Catch the highlights from the Trump vs Biden debate

🙂 I DID NOT need to see this. Japan develops robot skin that mimics the way real humans smile

INSPIRATION
⛵️ This Week in 1 Frame

Summer is the season of outdoor social events.

What better way to network than with a drink by the pool?

Inspired by my attendance at a tech conference last week.

Reply with your AI images or prompts to have them featured!

REFERRALS
Share The Leap Sprint

Refer 1 friend & get a shoutout in an upcoming newsletter 📬

You currently have 0 referrals, only 1 away from receiving Resume Template.

Or copy and paste this link: https://www.theleapsprint.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER

Most-Read Articles

1. To learn about my career journey, click here

2. To learn how to tailor your resume, click here

3. To learn how I passed my interviews, click here