The majority of the time, introverts enjoy a night out. Real introvert feels as at ease by themselves at a crowded restaurant or bar as they do anyplace else. Additionally, if you’re fortunate, a kind, Anonymous individual may occasionally emerge from the crowd, hand you a menu, and then vanish.
When you are at work, though, this is not the case. Your peaceful lunch in the office can be interrupted by one of your extrovert coworkers. To refuse is always a hassle! As far as they are concerned, you are someone who is having trouble fitting in; as always, their higher sense of humanity compels them to ask you to join, and you are responsible for the aftermath. Don’t worry; we’ll take care of things for you.
Headphones that block out noise
They don’t have to be the priciest pair on the rack. But a crucial power-up for your arsenal is a good set of headphones that can reduce some of the ambient noise. Headphones are a great way to let your coworkers know you’re focused on your thought and need some uninterrupted time (at least in theory). Fearing that you’ll appear rude? A simple declaration along the lines of, “I need to think about this project or idea (while looking at your phone and eating alongside), so I’m simply going to put my headphones on for a bit!” should work in certain situations.
Way to find a perfect spot.
As an introvert, it’s simple to fear that your coworkers will perceive you as cold or distant, and declining to socialize during lunch may only serve to confirm that assumption.
This is another chance for compromise. I’ve always made it a point to join the group for lunch on Fridays and sometimes one other day each week when I’ve worked in offices with more outgoing employees. Making excuses the rest of the week has become a lot simpler as a result of my occasional attendance, and frequently the truth (I need to stroll outside for a minute and clear my thoughts!) suffices.
After spending a few days investigating the neighborhood around my current workplace, I discovered the ideal lunch location: a bench outside of a church, away from the major streets where I may run into acquaintances.
Selecting a Seat
Positioning oneself in a remote area will help you maintain your privacy. This refers to a table away from the action and out of the way at your office. You need enough light to read, but you also don’t want anyone to walk by your table. There is nothing more annoying than a chance encounter with a lonely diner who, whether intentionally or unknowingly, is trying to imitate a romantic comedy’s meet-cute moment.
Avoid distributing too much.
The two tactics of making concessions and outlining clear expectations have yielded the best outcomes for me. You do need to put in a little effort since it feels like we’re a long way from having offices that truly support introverts in thriving. However, a successful compromise is one in which both sides get something from it.
And make an effort to ensure that your boss is aware of your working style and the techniques that help you produce the best outcomes so they can identify the projects or tasks at which you’re likely to excel.
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Last modified: May 3, 2023
