Reflection Activity

Discovering Your Energy: Introvert or Extrovert?

Curious about where you draw your energy? Use these quick checklists to reflect on your tendencies and then explore some self-reflection questions based on your responses.

How to use this checklist: Read each statement and consider how much it aligns with your own experiences and preferences. If many of these traits resonate with you, it's likely you have introverted or extroverted tendencies.

Keep in mind that introversion and exists on a spectrum, and many people have a mix of introverted and extroverted traits.

This checklist is a guide and not a diagnostic tool.

You can download a PDF of this activity here.

Introversion

Energy & Social Interaction:

  •    I feel drained after spending time in large groups, even if I enjoyed it.

  •    I need quiet time alone to recharge my energy.

  •    I prefer one-on-one conversations over group activities.

  •    I generally prefer smaller gatherings to large parties.

Communication & Thought Process:

  •    I often prefer to express myself in writing rather than speaking.

  •    I tend to think before I speak.

  •    I dislike small talk but enjoy deeper conversations about meaningful topics.

  •    I often let calls go to voicemail and prefer to respond via text or email.

Solitude & Interests:

  •    I enjoy solitude and find it restorative.

  •    I have a few close friends rather than a large circle of acquaintances.

  •    I enjoy activities that can be done alone, like reading, writing, or hobbies.

  •    I am comfortable being alone with my thoughts.

Reactions to Stimulation:

  •    I can feel overwhelmed in highly stimulating environments (loud noises, lots of activity).

  •    I prefer a calm and quiet atmosphere. 

Self-Reflection:

  •    I am often introspective and enjoy thinking about my thoughts and feelings.

  •    I am self-aware.

Extroversion

Energy & Social Interaction:

  •    I feel energized after spending time with people.

  •    I enjoy being the center of attention.

  •    I generally prefer group activities to being alone.

  •    I enjoy meeting new people and have a wide circle of acquaintances.

Communication & Thought Process:

  •    I often think out loud.

  •    I enjoy talking and tend to speak more than listen in groups.

  •    I don't mind small talk and can easily strike up conversations.

  •    I often prefer talking on the phone to texting or emailing.

Social Engagement & Interests:

  •    I enjoy social gatherings and parties.

  •    I feel restless or bored when I spend too much time alone.

  •    I often seek out social interaction.

  •    I enjoy activities that involve other people.

Reactions to Stimulation:

  •    I generally enjoy lively and stimulating environments.

  •    I don't easily feel overwhelmed by noise or activity.

Action & External Focus:

  •    I tend to be action oriented.

  •    I am often focused on the external world and what's happening around me.

Self-Reflection

With the checklists complete, take some time to reflect on your answers to gain deeper self-insight. You can choose to answer all the questions or just a few.

  1. Looking at both checklists, which traits resonated most strongly with you in each list?

  2.  Did you find yourself leaning more towards one list than the other, or did you see a mix of traits?

  3. Think about times when you felt most energized. Were these situations typically more solitary or more social?

  4.  When do you tend to feel most drained or depleted? Do these situations align with the tendencies you identified in the checklists?

  5.  Were there any traits on either list that surprised you about yourself?

  6.  How might your natural inclination for introversion or extroversion support or challenge your personal goals? For example, if you're aiming to learn a new skill that requires focused practice, how might your energy direction play a role?

  7.  In your professional life, consider tasks and environments that energize you versus those that drain you. How well do these align with your current role or career aspirations?

  8.  Knowing where you direct your energy, what strategies could you use to manage your energy levels to support your goals (e.g., scheduling social time, ensuring quiet work periods)?

  9.  How can you leverage your natural tendencies (introverted or extroverted) in pursuing your personal and professional aspirations?

For more info on what it means to be introverted, read this blog post.