Lesson One | Built To Serve| The World Needs You

Welcome to the Built to Serve Online Book Club!

Over the next 28 days, we’ll be reading and living the book Built to Serve by Evan Carmichael.

Each week, we’ll read a section of the book and focus on a specific theme. Every day, you’ll have one or two lessons based on that book section and theme. You’ll watch videos, read extra content, and have the opportunity to practice the book’s principles with writing and action prompts. 

“Take it from me. I’m a scared introvert who wants to reach the world.” – Evan Carmichael

Introverts are more effective than extroverts in leading proactive teams because they don’t feel threatened by collaborative input, are more receptive to suggestions, and listen more carefully. (Harvard)

As an introvert, you’re an independent thinker with your own personal goals and ambitions. Many introverts feel like they have to compete with the noise and energy of extroverts, but this is a myth. Even when you think there are plenty of others out there doing the same thing that you do, with more energy and charisma to boot…

Listen up: the world needs you.

In this loud, crazy world, your quiet visions can cut through the noise and . All you need is a good strategy that suits your energy.

Evan is here to show you how to lead as an introvert, because he is an introvert.

In today’s article, successful introvert founders were polled and asked to share some techniques they’ve used to harness the power of their introversion. Here’s a selection of what they said:

Balance your time.  Make sure you don’t overdo it with scheduling meetings and give yourself space to decompress.

Get out of your own head. Introverts are prone to overthinking, but there’s no use in psyching yourself out.  

Be unapologetically genuine. Be clear about your boundaries and what you like and don’t like. You don’t have to match the energy of your extroverted peers.

Optimize for deeper (rather than broad) relationships. While extroverts go for quantity, introverts have an easier time focusing on quality. Keep close only those who fuel and inspire you, and create a small knit group for your clients.

Be clear about your thought process. Often the biggest struggle for introverts is communicating their value. If you are clear about your goals and the goals you have for your clients, you can create a system to communicate those goals clearly to maximize your impact.

Actionize your observations. This harks back to the distinct ability to overthink. Use the many thoughts and all the research you’ve done as a springboard for action, instead of sinking further into the recesses of your mind.

If you want to read even more convincing evidence in favor of introverted leadership, you can read the full article on Hustle.co.

At the core of each person is a single word.

This one word inside of you represents what you value most, and it never changes throughout your life.

Whether you’re conscious of it or not, you seek out experiences based on your one core value. The amount of joy or pain that you experience in life relates to the level of connection you have to your core value. Your life needs to center on your core value in order for you to feel fulfilled.

When you pause and pinpoint what your core value is, you choose to live on purpose. You start to gravitate towards the right people, places, and experiences.