I’ve taken a few informal polls on Facebook and Twitter with my fellow home stagers and discovered that most of us are introverts. It doesn’t mean that we can’t be extroverted when it serves a purpose, as so endearingly described in this video of author Susan Cain’s TED Talk.
It just means being extroverted is not our natural inclination.
Growing up in a world that expects us to be extroverted, it can be hard to appreciate our special gifts. In this video, Susan shares ideas from her new book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.
I’ve always found the ability to be alone is a strength, especially when I see the lengths many people will go to just to always have someone around them. On the other hand, it does mean I really have to push myself to do the self-promotion that’s required when you run your own business. I’ve certainly proved that it can be done because I’ve been supporting myself, and later my family, since 1989 working from a home office.
Susan Cain explores the importance of solitude in innovation and creativity.
This is something I think most home stagers can relate to. Much of what we do to build our staging business is done from a home office and few of us work with partners.
I’ve also noticed how many home stagers ask me whether it’s OK to ask that their client not be present when they’re staging their home. I know I do my best work when I can be alone in a space and connect with it in a different way then when the homeowner is there. In fact, I discovered through writing an article a few months ago, that I’m not the only home stager who believes that a house speaks to me!
So I hope you enjoy this video and that it opens up a discussion here about how it’s OK to be “quiet” rather than “rowdy” and how the qualities that come with being introverted actually help us as home stagers and as entrepreneurs.
What do you think? Are you more introverted by nature? Please share your experiences, I know we can have an interesting conversation that will inspire all of us.
Debra Gould, The Staging Diva®
President, Voice of Possibility Group Inc.
Debra Gould has been an entrepreneur since 1989 after walking away from a high-paying corporate job and the office politics that come with that environment. She developed the Staging Diva Training Program to teach others how to earn a living doing something they love. There are now more than 7,000 students in over 20 countries learning from her many products and services for home stagers.
Wow, I could so relate to everything Susan Cain said. As a young artist, I felt totally stiffled working in a classroom full of kids. I thought there was something wrong with me because I couldn’t seem to be creative when others were watching. Now, as a stager, I absolutely hate it when the homeowner is present during staging jobs. Of course, I never tell them they have to leave but I certainly encourage it and if they do stay, I let them know that I can maximize my time if I’m undistracted so at least they get the hint and are not hovering over me! It’s very liberating and affirming to discover that introversion is a strength not a personality flaw.
Lisa, thanks so much for leaving your comment. I totally agree that it’s “very liberating and affirming to discover introversion is a strength and not a personality flaw”!!!! I think we need to all get over the idea that “different” = “wrong”.
The book “The Introvert Advantage” is terrific for helping introverts and those who love them see the gift they bring to the world!
Thanks for the suggestion Beth!
I don’t know if I’m an introvert, but many of my friends can’t believe I am fine eating lunch in a restaurant all by myself. They just can’t wrap their heads around sitting out in public, but doing so alone. I personally enjoy lunching by myself. If I travel for a morning staging consult I look forward to stopping somewhere unexpected for lunch along my route home. When I dine outside I love to people watch, and if I sit indoors sometimes I like to read. It’s such a treat to me. Does that make me an introvert? Maybe. I just call it being comfortable in my own skin.
Susan is truly inspirational, I totally relate to her wise words. As an introvert I understand the need to be quite to create. In my work I disapear into my own world to write, design and plan. When I come out of my world with my work, others are amazed at what I produce.
My introverstion has kept me from going out into the world of strong marketing and networking; building my business and contacts is taking time and I’m happy with that.
I feel like I’ve always been an introvert. Growing up, the only complaint my teachers ever had at all the parent teacher meetings was that I was too quiet. Growing up, I’ve realised that I’m more of a listener and an observer. I, too, perform my best at everything when I’m alone. I’m staritng my new Home Staging business and I guess because I’m an introvert, I’m a bit behind on networking. I hope I can gather up the courage to netwrok and socialize, because I know as Home Stager I have great talents to share 🙂
Thanks for sharing your experiences Sherry! Good luck with your new home staging business! Isn’t it awesome to find something that can use your natural gifts to help others and make money at the same time?!
Networking and socializing doesn’t come easily to me either. So I let myself have alone time before and after to allow me to bring the energy I need to it.
Sherry, I could have written your post! It’s affirming to see that others feel the same way!
I was working on a Staging job just this past Friday (yippee my first paying client) and had a few people there to help move the furniture around. I felt completely overwhelmed as they were all trying to give me their opinion of where they thought things should go. I quietly smiled and nodded as they gave their opinions. When the heavy lifting was completed the extra help left. Was I relieved. I could hear myself think and my vision came alive. I agree working alone is liberating as the energy of the room speaks to me. It’s so exciting watching it come alive right before my eyes. There’s no other feeling like it.
Trish, thanks so much for sharing that and congrats on your first paying client!!!
The first is always hardest to get but now you can “casually” drop that experience into conversations. “For my most recent project…. ” No one needs to know it was your first, unless you want to tell them 🙂
As for the room “speaking” to you, I’m not sure if you saw this article:
Home Stagers: Do Houses Speak to You?
Thanks again for sharing your experience, I know it will inspire others!
I’ve seen the Susan Cain talk which prompted me to also buy her book. She talks and writes so eloquently and powerfully about the strength of introverts – but then she would because she would have thought it through before she opened her mouth or put pen to paper!
I’m an introvert (INFJ on Myers Briggs) and I’m also sociable (the 2 are not mutually exclusive) What this means for me as a stager: I love it when the delivery guys have gone and I’m all alone, I turn down help from assistants as I want to do it all myself, I wake up at 2am processing what’s needed in a room, I love thinking through writing so blogging works well for me, I get overwhelmed or exhausted easily so can’t overbook myself. I love being an introvert. The only down side? I like to think things through and from all angles which is sometimes difficult when the client is standing next to me waiting for my suggestions on where the sofa should go!
Imogen, thanks so much for sharing your experiences as a fellow introvert. I too get overwhelmed and exhausted so I’m careful to schedule plenty of alone time in between my forced “extroverted” activities.
The more homes you do, the easier it will be to think things through quickly when you’re standing in the room. It’s key to remember though, even if you think you’re being “slow” you are infinitely faster than the client who hired you. After all, they’ve been looking at their home for years and have never even thought of the suggestions you’re going to make within minutes.
I am in my element staging a vacant home or when a homeowner gives me space. Is there a way to suggest this to a seller without offending? Also, can I ask that while the seller is packing that surfaces be cleared and ready for decor pieces?
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Thanks for commenting Margie! I’m talking about how I handle occupied homes in a free course I’m teaching this week. You can grab your free pass at this link:
https://stagingdiva.com/homestagingfreepreview.html