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Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can ... - WordPress.com

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understimulat<strong>in</strong>g, neither bor<strong>in</strong>g noranxiety-mak<strong>in</strong>g. You can organize yourlife <strong>in</strong> terms <strong>of</strong> what personality psychologistscall “optimal levels <strong>of</strong> arousal”and what I call “sweet spots,” andby do<strong>in</strong>g so feel more energetic andalive than before.Your sweet spot is the place whereyou’re optimally stimulated. You probablyseek it out already without be<strong>in</strong>gaware that you’re do<strong>in</strong>g so. Imag<strong>in</strong>ethat you’re ly<strong>in</strong>g contentedly <strong>in</strong> a hammockread<strong>in</strong>g a great novel. This is asweet spot. But after half an hour yourealize that you’ve read the same sentencefive times; now you’re understimulated.So you call a friend and go outfor brunch—<strong>in</strong> other words, you ratchetup your stimulation level—and as youlaugh and gossip over blueberry pancakes,you’re back, thank goodness, <strong>in</strong>sideyour sweet spot. But this agreeable362/929

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