While labeling is something I try to refrain from, the reading has been something that has opened my eyes. I have lived a majority of my life with a personality that emphatically screams extrovert. As the General Manager of Mansfield University's radio station, being vocal and getting attention are not only things that I should do, they are things I must do in order to effectively do my job. The ideals of Andrew Carnegie have always been a bit of a model for how I live my life. Having read "Think and Grow Rich" multiple times and applying those principles have helped me achieve goals and make myself into someone that I believe people view as a leader.

    What I do not let people see is the truly introverted inner thoughts that I have on a regular basis. While being the vocal center of attention is something I do well, it is only one dimension of my personality. I often find myself smiling and engaging in conversation with people around me, all the time wishing I was just at home in bed watching TV. I experience my truest moments of bliss while walking alone in the woods, away from human contact and most importantly the ring of a cell phone. 

    I have been reluctant to embrace my introverted side in the past due to my mentality that equates the quiet with the weak. After reading the beginning of this book (and admittedly more than assigned) I have began to realize the usefulness of sometimes letting that introvert take control. There is a time for everything with no situation truly being the same as the last. While I do not believe the introvert in me will ever be the dominant personality, Quiet has opened my mind to the strength it does take to sometimes take a step back and breath.