Cultivate empathy by recognizing the beauty and fragility in yourself and others, imagining the unseen struggles of everyone you encounter to foster a more loving perspective.
When observing people, imagine they each have a “subtitle” revealing their personal struggles, as this practice fosters empathy and a more open perspective.
Focus on “love and work” (broadly defined as your life’s contribution and what you truly love to do) as the core components of a meaningful life.
Keep a private, uncensored diary to honestly express your thoughts, feelings, fears, and dislikes, fostering self-truth and awareness.
Pay attention to what you envy, as it can reveal your true desires and guide you toward what you genuinely want in your own life.
Reflect on your obsessions with people or things, as they often indicate qualities or experiences you desire but lack in your own life.
Step outside your comfort zone strategically for core personal projects, then return to a “restorative niche” to recharge and be yourself.
Schedule and honor downtime for restoration as strictly as professional appointments, especially after demanding social or professional activities.
Pay attention to your varying daily need for stimulation (more or less) and honor those feelings to consistently reach your “sweet spot” of energy and happiness.
Differentiate between learned skills and true nature by reflecting on how you’d spend time without social or professional obligations.
Teach children that life is inherently mixed with good and bad days, and joy and upset, to help them build resilience and not be surprised by difficulties.
Guide children through difficult moments by acknowledging their feelings, encouraging deep breaths, and reassuring them that the moment will naturally pass.
Encourage your team to take a personality test and discuss how different personality types impact individual work preferences, fostering mutual understanding.
Implement an “I Wish You Knew” exercise where team members share what they wish colleagues understood about their work preferences, creating psychological safety for open dialogue.
When building a team, aim for a mix of introverts and extroverts to ensure a balance of energy, thorough thinking, and effective decision-making.
Frame relationship conflicts (e.g., differing preferences) through the lens of introversion/extroversion to legitimize differing needs and facilitate resolution.
Be mindful of your social contact levels, especially when working remotely, and proactively seek social interaction before your mood declines, as everyone needs it.
Counter social media envy by reminding yourself that online portrayals are unrealistic and curated, and limit your time on social media.
Design workplaces with flexibility, allowing employees to choose between private spaces for focused work and open communal spaces for collaboration based on their needs.
Use headphones in open office environments to block noise and signal to colleagues that you are focused and prefer not to be interrupted.
Schedule necessary breaks, such as walks, or negotiate remote work days with your boss to gain needed quiet time away from open office distractions.
Arrive early or stay late at the office to utilize quieter times for focused work, especially if private spaces are otherwise unavailable during peak hours.
Communicate your need for personal space (e.g., a walk) to close family members, especially if you’re an introvert, to ensure your needs are understood and met.
Actively seek inspiration from all forms of creativity around you, including books, music, and movies, to fuel your own creative endeavors.
Structure your day by doing things in blocks of time, dedicating specific periods to core activities like reading, writing, researching, and personal interests.
Adopt a flexible approach to reading: read whatever strikes your fancy, go cover-to-cover if you love it, or switch to something else if it doesn’t engage you.