Are you an introvert or an extrovert? How to know + what to do about it.

Plus: how to listen to the 10% Happier podcast ad-free, starting today.

For me, the answer to this question is blazingly clear: I am an extrovert. I love going to parties. I love seeing my friends. I love working in groups. I need to do these things or else I will wither.

So how to know for yourself? Per Susan Cain, author of the seminal book on introverts, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, there is a spectrum between introverts and extroverts.

Here’s one question you can ask yourself to diagnose where you are on said spectrum: How do you feel after you’ve been in a social situation for two hours? (Crucially, this should be a social situation with people you enjoy being with, not some awkward professional mixer.)

If, at the two-hour mark of this otherwise pleasant experience, your internal social battery is drained and you feel an overwhelming need to teleport home, you’re probably an introvert. If, like me, you’re just getting started, you’re likely an extrovert.

Why does this matter?

Susan argues that knowing whether you are an introvert or an extrovert can help you structure your life in a way that aligns with your natural temperament, leading to greater happiness and productivity.

At work, for example, introverts might want to try to engineer a quieter, low-stimulation environment. Extroverts might perform better in an office, with people around.

Socially, introverts might want to organize smaller gatherings that allow deeper interaction—balanced by plenty of time in solitude. Extroverts might want to fill their calendar with gatherings of all types. (Which I do.)

And when it comes to communication style, introverts may prefer written communication or having time to think before responding. Extroverts tend to thrive in spontaneous discussions, brainstorming sessions, and verbal exchanges.

To learn more about how to understand your temperament and ways to tailor your life accordingly, check out my conversation with Susan Cain. I’m happy to be able to say, for the first time, that paid subscribers can listen ad-free here.

You can also find this episode—with ads—on You Tube, Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Also, check out Susan’s Substack community The Quiet Life.

Paid subscribers get access to the ad-free feed of the 10% Happier podcast, as well cheatsheets for each episode (with key takeaways, time-coded highlights and a full transcript). You can also comment on this and other posts, join the subscriber chat, and participate in twice-monthly live sessions with me where I guide a meditation and take your questions. Join the party.

To find out more about how to get the 10% Happier pod ad-free, and how to connect it to your preferred podcast player, click right here.

Episode cheatsheet

The big takeaway

Susan Cain, author of "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking," discusses the strengths and challenges of introverts in an extroverted culture, as well as the importance of understanding your personality tendencies and designing your life accordingly.

Unlocking the power of personality: Introverts, extroverts, and everything in between