Today, I am going to show you how to navigate life and work in your own unique way with confidence and thrive to success as an introverted solopreneur.

Learning how to do it confidently and in a way that feels natural - without being forced to adopt a mindset and behaviours primarily primed by and for extroverts - allows you to be your true self and work at your natural best.

That’s a highly sustainable, introvert-friendly way to live and work with meaning, purpose and enjoyment.

Unfortunately, most introverts (introverted solopreneurs included) are stuck in autopilot mode, living an unfulfilling life and having a lifestyle they don’t enjoy.

I am going to guide you through a 3-step transformation process that will redesign your lifestyle and improve your life with 30+ proven real-life strategies. 

Managing introversion is like real estate. You are your greatest asset. You set the rules and build what you’ve always dreamed of.

As with every real estate project, you must first do your homework, get to know the asset and discover both its capabilities and limitations. Then, you can bring people in to see and contribute. However, you set the viewing rules and conditions like a touring agreement with a real estate agent. 

That’s when things get interesting: by setting and agreeing on the rules, everyone accepts you can show them around without committing. And they can also explore and assess the asset (and their options) without committing. Only in the case of mutual acceptance and agreement can a deal be reached.

The same goes for navigating life and business as an introverted solopreneur. 

I am an introvert, and for as long as I can remember, I have struggled to understand, embrace, accept, set the rules, and commit to meaningful action.

I always felt I was different, but not in an elitist way. I was not better, just different. My needs and wants were different from most other people's.

Once I realised all that is normal because I am simply an introvert, I had a profound “aha” moment.

There are three key action areas with introversion. They are distinct yet interconnected, and how you approach and choose each one also impacts the other areas. 

It’s a system consisting of two circles and a touch point. The first circle, called THE INNER ME, represents who you are and how you naturally think, feel, act and behave.

The second circle, called THE OUTER EXPANSE, includes what lies beyond yourself: the external world, people, your relationships with them, social interactions, work and business.

The touch point of those two circles represents your boundaries. I call it THE EDGES.

If you want to escape autopilot mode, start living and working with meaning, purpose, and enjoyment, and thrive to success, you must focus on both circles and their touchpoint.

This is how the three-part system I call “THE QUIET FORCE BLUEPRINT” works. Each part corresponds to one of the three key action areas.

1. The INNER ME part includes how well you understand, accept, and embrace your introversion in a natural, healthy way. It’s the foundation, your internal power.

2. The EDGES are about setting healthy boundaries that make sense for you and safeguarding them to make sure they are respected.

3. The OUTER EXPANSE is about navigating life, work and business with quiet yet forceful confidence. 

Let’s explore each part and see how to make the most of it.

1. THE INNER ME Circle

This is the foundation. Without its three essential elements, you can’t set healthy boundaries that make sense for you and navigate your life, work and business in a meaningful and confident way.

The goal of this fundamental circle is three-fold:

• Understand your introversion

• Accept

• Embrace it

There are many misunderstandings, false assumptions, beliefs, and myths about introversion that need to be discarded and myths that need to be challenged—even among introverts themselves (me included, until 10 years ago).

The first step is conscious awareness of your introversion. It’s about exploring that inner circle to fully understand what it means to be an introvert in terms of biology, accept it for what it truly is (no more, no less), and embrace it as a unique differentiation point and a superpower (not a condition to be cured or to let take over your life).

However, unlike popular opinion or advice, you must do it with a meaningful and healthy twist. 

First, it must make sense and give you meaning. That means your awareness and acceptance are personal so you can interpret your thoughts, feelings, actions, and behaviours regarding introversion. It has to be customised to your needs and wants. That means any perspectives and advice shown below must be taken seriously but with a grain of salt. Put your own twist on accepting and embracing your introversion.

Second, it must be done in a healthy manner. Understanding your introversion is tricky. Although it’s only a matter of different biology (how your brain is constructed and functions), it’s very easy to misinterpret it, leading to more false assumptions and beliefs. Those false assumptions and beliefs will shape a flawed mindset, causing more trouble and worry than what it promises to combat. 

Here are the basics of your Introvert Biology (the next section is taken from another letter I sent some time ago). Educating yourself about introversion objectively and with an open mind is profoundly essential.

Introversion = Different Biology

Being introverted is not a medical condition. Many introverts falsely believe that they are flawed in some way. That’s a feeling triggered by the fact that our world has been made by and for extroverts. So, how you behave feels off compared to the other 50% or so of the population.

The reality is that your brain’s chemistry and structure influence your behaviour along with environmental factors that determine if and how introverted you will be.

The human body is an incredibly complex system primarily composed of chemical substances (like oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and calcium). It also produces and transmits many other chemical substances, each of which plays a specific but significant role.

In the context of introversion, let’s focus on neurotransmitter dynamics, specifically dopamine and acetylcholine. Dopamine is associated with reward-seeking behaviour, and introverts are more sensitive to it. Exposure to high levels of external stimuli can lead to overstimulation. Acetylcholine promotes a sense of calmness and helps conserve energy, allowing introverts to think and reflect deeply without distractions.

Science has also found that introverts demonstrate different brain activity patterns. Increased blood flow allows for vastly greater information processing ability, influencing problem-solving and decision-making. This constant brain activity usually makes introverts spend a lot of energy and become mentally tired. Introverts also have thicker grey matter in some regions of their brains. That relates to their more reflective thinking style, which is connected to deeper thinking and a preference for solitary activities.

Lastly, introverts have higher levels of cortical arousal. This explains their frequent overstimulation when exposed to many external stimuli for a long time. It also explains their preference for less crowded and noisy environments (God, I despised the open-office environment in the companies I used to work for when I was still fascinated by the corporate ladder before going solo).

That already completes elaborating on the first strategy from the list below. Still, explaining your biology before the list made more sense, as it is the foundation of the foundation, the very first layer of concrete you would make at the foundation of a new building. That requires digging very deep and using the highest-quality, strongest material. The same goes for introversion.

Let me share 7 proven strategies and tactics for mastering the INNER ME circle of THE QUIET FORCE BLUEPRINT.

1. Educate yourself. Read books about introversion and watch videos available on streaming platforms and YouTube to learn how introversion works in detail (more elaborate than my summary of biological foundation above). Investing time and energy in your education is critical. It’s the very first step. If you skip it, most things won’t make much sense.

2. Reflect and accept. After educating yourself, set aside quiet time to reflect on your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Ask questions that help you understand yourself better. Does everything I read apply to my case, and how? Accept your introversion by recognising that it is not a condition or weakness. If you need more clarity, journal and practice mindfulness to let go of prejudice and negativity. Remember to be kind to yourself during this process and not beat yourself up for false beliefs that have held you back for a long time. You have more than enough time to make up for it.

3. Celebrate uniqueness. Do all the things that may look and sound weird to primarily extroverted people. Schedule solitude and quiet time to recharge, reflect, and engage in activities that bring you joy (I’m confident reading, writing, or exploring your creative interests are included in your list). Schedule a meeting with a good friend or person with whom you are deeply connected. Engaging in deep conversations and meaningful relationships is your forte. It can be anything justified by your introverted nature and soul.

4. Acknowledge and use your superpowers. I’ve covered this topic in a previous letter. Here’s the link if you missed it. However, let me say this. Regular check-ins are essential to assess and embrace your unique qualities, traits, or skills. Take a walk and think about what makes you unique as an introvert. Journal to express your thoughts on your strengths (and weaknesses) and growth areas. It’s about discovering what you have in store and what works best for you to leverage it to grow as a person and a solopreneur.

5. Draw inspiration from famous introverts. That may sound cliche, but it’s a powerful way to remind yourself that your introversion is not an obstacle to success (regardless of how you define it). By no means is it about becoming famous and wealthy. However, those manifestations can help you see with your own eyes that introverts are also entitled to success and that being an extrovert is not a prerequisite for growth. Many great minds were introverts: Einstein, Isaac Newton, Marie Curie, Charles Darwin, and Nikola Tesla, to name a few. Famous people with personalities that shaped our world are also known introverts: Bill Gates, Marc Zuckerberg, and Steve Wozniak. The list is long. You have leadership skills (contrary to popular opinion), and being an introvert is no obstacle but a stepping stone to impact.

6. Connect with other introverts and join communities. We introverts are known as not very social beings. That is far from reality. We can and crave to be social with the people we want and at a time and place that feels comfortable (to prevent having our energy levels depleted). It’s no wonder introverts wish to connect with other introverts (two of my best friends are introverts). Identify the people you feel more comfortable with and engage with them more deeply. Meet new people at introvert-oriented activities (including - but not limited to - reading, science or art-related occasions). I am not saying that extroverts are not into those activities, but let’s be honest: they would prefer to socialise than spend a day at the library, visiting a science museum, or learning to play the piano. If you feel more comfortable online, you can join online communities (like Introvert, Dear).

7. Own your introversion. Fully embrace and acknowledge your introversion as part of who you are. It’s about being your authentic self without hiding or overpromoting it - none of those behaviours are healthy. Taking ownership of your introversion involves recognising its presence in your daily life, accepting it has a significant (positive) impact on you, and taking responsibility for how it manifests in your actions and interactions. This is how you can build confidence and positivity (versus drowning in self-doubt, low self-esteem and negativity). I hear many introverts complain that others (primarily extroverted) don’t respect or take their introversion seriously. It’s your job to make them do that. Being proud of who you are and confident about your uniqueness and value is the best way to ensure you are always treated just and equally.

2. THE EDGES

This is the touching point of THE INNER ME and THE OUTER EXPANSE circles. It’s the intersection of you and the outside world in all its richness (people, situations, experiences, relationships, etc).

It’s about setting and respecting healthy boundaries. I have to dissect that as it’s crucial to understand every aspect of THE EDGES.

Setting boundaries as an introvert is a no-brainer (no less or more than for extroverts). Setting boundaries is one thing. Safeguarding them is another. In many cases, people set boundaries but fail to respect them and/or have others respect them when the tough gets going. That makes no sense.

Boundaries are designed to protect you and your precious resources (time, energy, attention and focus) and organise your relationships with others and life events.  They lose power if you are not strong enough to stick to them when you need them the most. That allows other people and events (at work or in your personal life) to take advantage of your weakness and impose their wants, needs, goals, and agendas, leading to negative emotions.

When I was not strong enough to stand firm with my boundaries as an introvert, I always regretted it afterwards. That made me feel weak and not worth it. Then, more negative emotions appeared: disappointment, anger and frustration. That’s not healthy. We must respect our boundaries, and making others do the same is our job (confidence and conviction are key). Let’s normalise mutual respect and stop leaving our boundaries to chance and other people’s moods and intentions.

I last wanted to highlight the notion of “healthy boundaries”. “Are there unhealthy boundaries?” you may wonder. Yes, absolutely. A lack of empathy and kindness, manipulation, impolite communication and behaviour, and overcommitting (constantly asking without giving), are all signs of unhealthy boundaries.

If your boundaries are too flexible, they stop being boundaries. If they are too rigid, you close yourself off and miss the whole point. If you use the boundaries to control or manipulate others, it’s weaponisation. You also miss the point if you use your boundaries to disregard others' wants, needs, and values.

Healthy boundaries make sense for you and others. Their implementation can make it or break it. You must foster mutual respect, be flexible (but not surrender) and consistent, and show kindness. Remember that your boundaries make sense if they respect others’ boundaries. Boundaries are the touchpoints of all human interactions and relationships on this planet.

Let me now share with you 9 ways to set and respect healthy boundaries as an introverted solopreneur - you can apply them to work or personal life; they work both ways.

1. Understand your needs. That’s the foundation of boundaries. You can’t set them if you don’t know what you need and what you want to avoid. To fully understand your needs, you need self-reflection. Here are two ways to do it effectively. First, you need to evaluate your emotions. Ask yourself, “How and what do I feel? Why?” to explore why you have those feelings and how you interpret them as emotions. A common question for introverts is this: Do I feel my energy drained / uncomfortable right now? Why? What would I need to be better off? Second, regularly reflect on recurring emotions and discomforts to identify hidden patterns and unmet needs. Perhaps you feel uncomfortable and drained having small talk for more than 5 minutes. Does that happen often? Does small talk feel shallow? That indicates you need to set a boundary and ask for more depth. If small talk happens before a meeting or at the start of a call with a client or lead, you can kindly ask to move on with the agenda and the topics that need to be discussed and addressed. You wouldn’t know how to handle that discomfort without self-reflection. Schedule quiet alone time for regular self-reflection sessions.

2. Create a personal space. As an introvert, you value your space a lot. You need your space and time to do things your way. Environment plays an essential role in managing your introversion with grace. An environment that fosters calm, comfort and solitude can help you live and work at your natural best. Take care of the logistics in your home or office. If you work from home, you need to set up your personal space (a room is ideal, but if you don’t have that luxury, a corner in a room can work as well; just make sure you use a “barrier” to create a sense of separation, like a curtain, divider, or just your desk). That’s YOUR space. Keep it simple and minimal. Declutter it occasionally to ensure you enjoy the calm and comfort. Personalise it with a few meaningful items, make it comfortable, and infuse nature and soft sensory cues (like a plant, a wooden table, a painting with a landscape, soft lighting, or a calming scent).

3. Communicate clearly. When you know your needs, it becomes easier for you to communicate them. However, communication must be honest and straightforward. Say what you need with clarity. Instead of vague requests, be precise about what you need. Use “I” statements (instead of “You” statements). Focusing on yourself and what you need shows confidence and conviction. It sounds egoistic and often negative when you simply request things from others to satisfy your needs. For example, instead of saying, “You are very loud, and I can’t concentrate on my work!” you can say, “I need more quiet to concentrate on my work!”. Then, you can ask for specific actions from others to support your boundaries (but do it with kindness). Make it crystal clear for them so they know how they can help. For example, you can say, “Could you please put your headphones on so it’s quieter in the room? I would appreciate that!”. Requesting things to improve the environment you function in kindly can rarely trigger unkind behaviours. Most people understand and like to be told what to do.

4. Set limits on social interactions. Your energy is finite, as with all people. The thing is that yours gets depleted much faster with social interaction. This is why it’s vital to understand your own boundaries first (when your battery levels get very low) and then act accordingly by setting limits to socialising (be it for personal or casual reasons or work). Learn to say no when your energy level is low, and always plan well in advance. My partner sometimes gets puzzled by my efforts to assess my energy levels in relation to the social interaction I have. I always make conscious choices about the events I attend or the social occasions I will show up (even for family reasons). Learning to say no is crucial. At the end of the day, it’s your well-being at stake, not theirs.

5. Manage your digital boundaries. Your energy levels are not only depleted with social face-to-face interaction but also with digital means. Phone or video calls, social media and news sites consume much energy. You must set boundaries with your screen time (television and mobile phone) to boost your well-being. I won’t call that digital detox as I don’t believe in such radical approaches (simply because they don’t work). It’s a conscious decision to limit screen time to reduce overstimulation and preserve energy. Notifications are also a significant digital distraction. Turn them off. My mobile phone is always in “Don’t disturb” mode, allowing only important phone calls (from people I choose) to get through. Not to mention that no notification buzzes or appears on the screen. My energy levels and attention have increased immensely since I introduced this digital boundary. I know that you may not be able to do it if your work requires a lot of interaction but you can still set limits or allocate specific time blocks during the day to allow digital distractions to come through. It’s about making distractions the exception to the rule (not the norm).

6. Take breaks and schedule alone time. That’s one of my favourite strategies. During the day or week, I seek opportunities to distance myself from the hustle and recharge. You must take breaks and enjoy alone time to let your batteries power up. The key to success is not to leave them to chance but to schedule them actively. When you make your daily schedule, plan for small breaks (5-10 minutes) every 90 minutes of work. If you prefer longer but more intense work sessions, that’s also fine. Schedule 30 minutes of rest or alone time afterwards. I now schedule a 45-minute nap every afternoon, and that works well. I close the laptop, put my phone away, and set a timer for 45 minutes of rest. Some might argue that setting the timer for a nap is stressful. I do it consciously because I don’t need to sleep more than 45 minutes in the afternoon. That’s sufficient, and because the time is limited, I cherish it. I usually grab a book to read, but after a few minutes, my eyes are closed. Prioritise breaks, rest and alone time.

7. Surround yourself with people who can support your needs. That’s crucial because the struggle will be greater if you live and work in a toxic or unsupportive environment. The people you live with (spouse, kids, even your pet) need to understand, accept and support your needs to rest, recharge and have alone time. That can boost your well-being and ensure a more pleasant atmosphere in the house. The same goes for work environments. The greatest struggle is working from home - a reality now for millions of employees and solopreneurs. I work from my home office (I am grateful I have a room dedicated to my work), and boundaries must be respected. When I close the door to engage in deep work, only emergencies can allow my partner to open and disturb me. The same goes for when I get my afternoon nap. It’s like a recording studio where they turn on the red signal outside the door, indicating they are recording and nobody is allowed in. I don’t have such a signal, but you get the point. Now, let me highlight another thing: your friends or the people you hang out with should also respect your boundaries. If they don’t, don’t take it lightly or see it as a compromise for socialising. Everyone must respect your limits; feel free to distance yourself if they don't. That’s perfectly fine. They need to support you like you support them and respect their boundaries. It’s about mutual respect.

8. Be consistent. Setting your boundaries is one thing. Sticking to them and having them respected is a different thing. If you are not consistent and firm, others won’t be as well. If you signal and demonstrate that you take the boundaries you set seriously, others will do, too. Staying firm is key. Furthermore, scheduling regular check-ins to assess and evaluate your boundaries is essential. With time and entropy, good habits can slowly fade away. The same goes for your boundaries. Take some time to reflect on how you set and communicate your boundaries. Do they work? Are you successful with respecting your own boundaries? Do others respect them as well? Depending on your insights, you can finetune or even reinforce your boundaries or how you communicate them. Sometimes, you may have to take extra measures to ensure they are respected. 

9. Practice self-care and self-compassion. This is the key ingredient that binds everything else together. Setting boundaries is vital but also a serious matter. Sometimes, you succeed — other times, you do not. Sometimes, you stay firm - other times, you are softer, and others take advantage of that. In any case, treat yourself with kindness. Don’t beat yourself up for mistakes or misjudgements when setting healthy boundaries. You can always iterate and improve. Be compassionate to yourself and sync your mind and body. Observe your body cues and signals and respect them. You can temporarily tighten or loosen your limits and boundaries to cater to specific momentary needs (for example, when something happens and you get overly stressed). Prioritise relaxation and engage in activities you like that can provide meaning and enjoyment.

3. THE OUTER EXPANSE

As I explained earlier, this circle is about your relationship to the outside world: the life and work events, the people around you, the business environment and the market.

The first two parts of the QUIET FORCE BLUEPRINT are about self-awareness and boundaries. This last part is about how your actions and behaviours in everyday life and work.

The goal is to prepare and have a toolkit available at any time so you can choose what to use and when. Being prepared and knowing how to respond to life and work situations can boost your confidence.

The Outer Expanse is about all three areas of interaction with the world around you:

• The relationships in your personal life (for example, spouse, kids, extended family)

• The social interactions and situations (for example, friends and random interactions)

• The workplace in general (for example, your clients, leads, partners or vendors)

The strategies explained below can work universally. Let’s dive in.

1. Set the right goals. That’s essential for every type of interaction or occasion. If you attend a family gathering, set a goal of listening to older people’s stories (as they are usually deeper and more meaningful) or genuinely ask the people you care about the most to tell you their life news. The same goes for a party you may attend (enjoy the music and food, talk to people you know, and meet only one new person) or a networking event (I will meet and speak to 5 new people). Make your goals specific, manageable and enjoyable.

2. Seek deep and meaningful relationships. Deep thinking is one of your superpowers. Your natural tendency is to seek depth in things, which is also valid in social or work situations. Meet a friend of yours who knows you well, and you know you can engage in deep conversations. You may not be able to do that with potential or current clients, but you can still skip the small talk that usually consumes a large part of calls (and your energy), and get to the point after greeting them.

3. Choose quality over quantity. You may not have the energy to meet your friends for a drink three times a week, but you can certainly meet them once but for a more extended engagement, like a dinner. I usually opt for dinners instead of drinks or coffee sessions. A dinner is a better opportunity to engage and talk more deeply. It’s the same with clients. I don’t usually schedule calls often, but when I do, it’s always a positive catch-up, and an agenda allows for deep talk about important work matters.

4. Be surrounded by like-minded people. You can’t always choose the people you are surrounded by (for example, your family or relatives). And you can’t select only introverts to hang out with, either. The goal is to be surrounded by people you appreciate and who respect your boundaries. For example, I’ve never been able (or desired) to sustain close friendships or even social interactions with people who only engage in shallow talk. Remember that it’s not necessarily about the interests other people have. They may have different interests from you but still have a mindset and approach to life close to yours. That means you can engage more profoundly with them.

5. Balance social time with alone time. Social time is good. Time with clients, too. That’s essential for business. But you can always actively try to balance that time with alone time. For example, for every meeting with a client, you deserve a coffee out alone or a break for a long walk alone in the park. Extroverts recharge their batteries with socialising. We introverts do that with alone time and quiet. Normalise it. There’s nothing wrong with that.

6. Set healthy boundaries. I elaborated on the issue in THE EDGES part of the blueprint earlier. Still, I want to remind you here, too, that keeping boundaries at the top of your mind is crucial. We introverts are more stimuli-sensitive and prone to overstimulation. That means you must proactively ensure you don’t cross the line and respect your boundaries (others, too). Whenever it feels off or uncomfortable,  take a moment and think about your needs. If something is getting too much for you, step back kindly and opt out. I regularly say no to extending social events. Dinner is perfect. Going for a drink afterwards is too much for me; I always pass. A call with a client on an urgent or crucial matter is fine; scheduling regular meetings and calls to catch up is not essential. You can skip them and stick to written communication.

7. Communicate your needs clearly and honestly. That’s also part of the boundary-setting process, which I discussed earlier. Let me stress this, however. Communication is key. Clarity and confidence, too. Whatever the occasion, remember that you must say what you want without second thoughts (but still kindly and with empathy) to safeguard your boundaries. Ambiguity never helps. On the contrary, it makes the situation more complicated and causes misunderstandings. A friend constantly complains about the duration of his calls with clients. I tell him to communicate the expected call duration clearly, cover the agenda topics effectively, and close off when the time is up (okay, with a flexibility of a few minutes). 

8. Choose where and when you will spend your energy. You can’t cater to everybody’s needs and wants. Your time and energy are limited. Theirs, too. Choosing where, when and with what/whom you spend them is crucial. You can’t attend all client Christmas dinners or all your friends’ spontaneous drink sessions and day trips. Making conscious choices based on your wants and needs (as an introvert) is a real breakthrough. You get to decide how you will spend your day and resources. I always keep in mind my current and future energy levels when scheduling things (with friends or at work). For example, I never schedule anything for at least 3 days after a trip until I fully restore my energy and get all the work things in order.

9. Prepare mentally and emotionally. Whether it is a social occasion, a networking event or a call with a potential client, you need to prepare beforehand. Set the right goals. Clear your mind and focus on your goal. Take away all the stress or negativity. Reframe the situation from uncomfortable to one where your curiosity can help you explore new things, people, or ideas. After all, what’s the worst that can happen? It’s not the end of the world. We introverts get a bit overwhelmed before most meetings and calls. Getting yourself calm and grounded can work wonders. Preparation is essential. Do it like a pro.

10. Opt for comfort. Although you can’t always make the call and choose the setting, you can still influence the decision. You must feel comfortable to perform at your natural best. Extroverts may find it easier to navigate noise,  disorder or chaotic situations. We introverts require more order. An environment that feels comfortable means you can control and direct your focus to what matters the most (the person you are with, the idea you will talk about) and not spend energy and attention on the settings. When you go to a restaurant or coffee shop for dinner or a meeting, insist on choosing a table in the quiet, less crowded part of the place. Or suggest places already familiar to you for meetings.

11. Choose introvert-friendly settings. That’s closely related to the comfort aspect described above. So, what is an introvert-friendly setting? It certainly is relaxing and not noisy. Quiet is much appreciated. It should also be as decluttered and minimal as possible. Otherwise, the abundance of objects quickly overstimulate you. That can be applied to a room, a house, your office, or any place or setting you live and work in. For more on an introvert-friendly workspace, check the previous THE EDGES section.

12. Prefer written communication. Writing is one of your superpowers. Introverts generally find it easier to express their thoughts in writing than orally. It’s not that we introverts are bad at interacting face-to-face. Written communication just feels more natural and smoother. I usually avoid meetings or calls at work if the topic is not urgent or very important. That can be taken care of via email. For urgent but not important things, a text message can suffice. All my clients know that, and we sync beautifully on that. Whenever you can, opt for written communication.

13. Practice mindfulness. Many mistakenly believe that mindfulness is about yoga and meditation. They are part of the ecosystem and toolkit, but mindfulness is primarily a mindset. This mindset helps you stay grounded and present, know where you stand (realistically), set the right goals (realistically), and treat yourself with kindness without beating yourself up for mistakes. As we introverts are more sensitive to stimuli, we risk becoming overwhelmed and stressed. Mindfulness can work wonders.

14. Opt for 1-on-1 meetings or calls versus group things. The larger the group, the greater the dread. That is perhaps an exaggeration but it’s not far from reality. We thrive with deeper 1-on-1 interactions. We get overwhelmed, and our energy is depleted quickly by larger group interactions. You can’t always choose, but opt for more personal interaction when you can. It will help you save up energy and feel more fulfilled afterwards (depth is much more rewarding).

15. Network online versus offline. Networking is one of the most intense nightmares for introverted solopreneurs. It doesn’t have to be this way. Today, social media offers a great opportunity for online networking. I would dread networking events. The idea of gathering people together just for them to get to know each other (usually randomly and with no real purpose or meaning) never resonated with me. You can expand your professional circle on LinkedIn. You can join online communities to connect with like-minded people (perhaps around a common interest). Many will argue that face-to-face interaction is different and more human than faceless, distant online interaction. Don’t discard anything. You can still socialise and meet new people offline (just do it your own introvert-friendly way). And you can still attend a networking event or conference every now and then (just set the right goals so you remain focused and positive and don’t get overwhelmed).

What’s next?

It’s all about mindset. As ancient Greek and Roman philosophers taught, we can only control our minds, thoughts, and actions. Focusing on this can help you avoid unnecessary struggle, get unstuck, and move forward faster.

If you need guidance getting unstuck and making those crucial mindset shifts, I can help, especially if

• you are an introverted person struggling to leverage your introversion and unique superpowers and create your ideal lifestyle (that feels natural)

• you are a currently struggling introverted solopreneur (stuck in a wrong mindset)

• you want to quit your 9-5 job and create your one-person business but are too afraid (or don’t know how) to redesign your lifestyle and transform your life

DM me on LinkedIn, and let’s explore how Mindset Coaching can help you move forward and claim what you desire and deserve for a life with purpose, meaning and enjoyment.