Hidden Brilliance

Book excerpt: High-achieving introverts feel the intense tug between the drive to achieve more and the need for solitude, between going out to conquer the world fighting with the desire to simply be alone. And there is an Achilles heel that every high-achieving introvert has: a keen sensitivity to inner critics, those voices telling us we aren't enough of something-not good enough, qualified enough, attractive enough, smart enough. Everyone has inner critics, but some people seem able to move past them more easily than others. For those addicted to achievement, like high-achievers, this is the place where perfectionism breeds, and where nothing is ever enough. And the introvert's tendency to spend hours a day, thinking, exacerbates the inner critic. As an entrepreneur and leader, who is also a high-achieving introvert, I had lived my whole life thinking that striving, stress, and second-guessing myself was the only way to success, when in reality, it was the one thing holding me back from my true greatness. As it turns out, success actually can feel easy, free, present, and without fear of what might happen. In this book, you'll discover: How to harness the benefits of being both a high-achiever and an introvert in your business, whether you're a leader, an entrepreneur, or both Why the voice of your inner critics are so present in your life and have prevented you from taking bold action in the past What to do and what to give up, in order to be effective, fulfilled, confident-at home, in your business, and as a leader Daily habits and practices that will allow you to tap into your strengths, as a high-achiever, to lean into leadership and do your best work with energy and enthusiasm, every day Greatness is absolutely within your reach. If you can discover how to harness the dual power of your audacious goals and your introverted ability to focus, you can do anything.