Most people believe that an extrovert is a person who is friendly and outgoing. While that may be true, that is not the true meaning of extroversion. Basically, an extrovert is a person who is energized by being around other people. This is the opposite of an introvert who is energized by being alone.

Extroverts can easily become bored without other people around. When given the chance, an extrovert will talk with someone else rather than sit alone and think. In fact, extroverts tend to think as they speak, unlike introverts who are far more likely to think before they speak. Extroverts often think best when they are talking. Concepts just don’t seem real to them unless they can talk about them; reflecting on them isn’t enough.

Extroverts enjoy social situations and even seek them out since they enjoy being around people. Their ability to make small talk makes them appear to be more socially adept than introverts (although introverts may have little difficulty talking to people they don’t know if they can talk about concepts or issues).

Extrovert behavior seems to be the standard in American society, which means that other behavior is judged against the ways an extrovert, would behave. However, extroverted behavior is simply a manifestation of the way an extrovert interacts with the world. Extroverts are interested in and concerned with the external world.

Think you might be an extrovert? Check out our list of five of the key traits that might mean that you have this type of personality.

• You Love to Talk:  Talking with friends family and even striking up conversations with people you don’t know is interesting to you.  You enjoy learning about their life.
• Socializing helps you feel energized: Do you feel “charged up” after or during time with others?  An extrovert when spending time alone will start to feel lifeless and will crave getting with people.  An extrovert will always choose spending time with others rather than time alone.
• You like to solve problems by discussing them:  An extrovert enjoys getting their words out of their head and having someone to listen.  After a difficult day, if they can express themselves, they will feel much better, whereas an introvert would rather spend time alone to process.
• People describe you as approachable, friendly and easy to talk to:  At a party an extrovert will walk up to someone new and make an introduction.
• You are open and people find it easy to get to know you:  Extroverts are open and willing to share about themselves, which makes them easier to get to know

Common qualities of an Introvert:

• Being around people can drain your energy:  An introvert will go to an event to meet new people, but an introvert will go to spend time with the people they enjoy.  If the latter is you, you may be an introvert.  Introverts have to expend energy in social settings where an extrovert will gain energy from these interactions.
• You enjoy solitude: Being alone is very comfortable for an introvert.  As a matter of fact, introverts love spending time with people, but often may need solitude after being around people.
• You have a small group of close friends:  it’s a common misconception that introverts don’t like people.  Not true!  Introverts just prefer to be in a small circle of friends that they are comfortable with.
• People often describe you as quiet and find it hard to get to know you: Introverts prefer deep conversations as opposed to idle chitchat.  They choose their words carefully and if this is you, you’re probably an introvert.
• Too much stimulation leaves you feeling distracted and unfocused:  An introvert can get distracted more easily than an extrovert, which is why they prefer calmer environments and not rushed or harried environments.

Whether someone is an introvert or extrovert does not correlate with their success in life, whether or not they are funny, or their income potential. In fact, both Steve Martin and Warren Buffett are introverts. Additionally, sometimes opposites do attract and when doing so they make a great team. Steve Jobs was an extrovert and Steve Wozniak an introvert, and together they changed the world.

Now, see whether you’re an ‘innie” or “outie” and remember neither is right or wrong and each has it’s positives and negatives.