What Are You Doing to Get Out of the Dungeon?

At the June 2nd IMC NorCal chapter meeting, Jim Rodgers, an introvert and $5M-revenue-generating consultant from Georgia, talked about how many consultants are introverts. And how introverts love to hide out in their home offices tapping away at email or surfing websites on their computers.

He told us to our faces that hiding in our dungeons is not what will enable us to make a contribution to our clients or make our practices successful.

I have to admit that part of me loves being around people, especially people from different backgrounds, interests and ages.

And another strong side of me loves hanging out under my "turtle shell" being reflective, contemplative and quietly creative. It's the space where I can experiment with drawing, painting, gardening, glass art, meditation, walking in silence, learning. . . The desire for "turtle" periods are getting longer as Web 2.0 pushes faster and more frequently past my cyberboundaries. I need this time to refuel my energy for the next burst out of the dungeon.

I've learned that taking the path of the monk or nun meditating silently for the rest of my life will not enable me to fulfill my life purpose. Balancing the need for engagement and the need for solitude is always an interesting dilemma.

So what gets me to stick my neck out of my turtle shell to engage with the world?
• inspiring people, especially peers who believe in the synergy of collaboration and respect solitude
• being around folks who want to help others as much as they want help for themselves
• Nature - to climb a peak and rest at the top and feel at one with the world
• awesome clients
• creative folks (artsy, musical, gardeners, and who knows what else?)
• people who care about the planet
• good food and people who love to cook and eat!
• the joy of experimentation, discovery, and "ahas"
• young people who want to make a difference
• Gloria Steinem

What gets you out of your dungeon?