As everything else in life, personality occurs on a spectrum. Although most people fall somewhere in the middle, I have always considered myself to be an introvert. Second semester senior year I was asked to take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test. My results told me that I was an ISTJ personality, but most importantly that I was 99% introverted. More recently I was asked to take the same personality test for my philosophy class. I was so shocked by my results that I took the test twice; I was only 9% introverted! So the question that remained was can a person transition from introverted to introverted, and what would make them do this?
The Differences
Extroverts tend to be viewed as outgoing and amicable. They are more comfortable in large groups of people and like to know and be friendly with everyone around them. Extroverts often jump quickly into situations and do not always stop to think before they act. Talking out loud and hearing the response of someone else is the easiest way for extroverts to solve their problems.
Introverts are very much the opposite. They can be seen as reserved or introspective. They feel very comfortable on their own and doing things on their own. Introverts spend much of their time thinking about their actions before actually completing them. Sometimes the idea of doing something is much better than actually doing it for introverts. Introverts look for routine and regularity in their lives. Many people assume that introverts are just shy, which is not the case. Both introverts and extroverts can be shy, introversion is caused by a lesser innate need to socialize with others.
How You Can Make the Change
Although people can make a conscious effort to make themselves more extroverted, it seems that in my case the transition was unintentional. Transitioning from introverted to extroverted starts by finding your own area of optimal anxiety. Many people work well under pressure, so by putting themselves under just the right amount of pressure, they can preform at their peak.
Once operating under this slight amount of pressure becomes a regular part of your life you get more comfortable with challenging yourself. Although you still may be uncomfortable at times, putting yourself out of your comfort zone will eventually become more natural. Trying new things and beings more spontaneous will feel less and less uncomfortable. Being spontaneous will not work all the time however, and planning ahead for social interactions can make uncomfortable situations much more bearable.
As a college freshman, this was essentially the entire first semester of my year, most specifically during orientation. As someone who came to college extremely introverted, I was constantly forced to meet new people and was almost never alone. Ultimately, experience leads to expertise and interacting with others felt much more natural and enjoyable.
As time goes on, social interaction will come much more naturally. You will find the social situations that make you most comfortable and learn enough skills to cope with situations you are not relaxed in. "Fake it 'till you make it" applies here; with enough practice, you can avoid appearing socially awkward in any situation, and maybe even become less introverted.
Fordham's Candle Lighting Ceremony during orientation.
