One of the biggest challenges for me in life is I’ve always been quite the introvert. I think the most wrongly labeled people in the world are introverts. We’re called things like shy or snobby when people don’t spend the time to understand that we’re just more quiet and inward than the extroverts of the world.

The sad reality is, sometimes, it is just better to have the traits of an extrovert. If you’re trying to rally the team you play sports with, or you’re at a work meeting and want an idea to be heard, it’s easy to make your voice known if you’re an extrovert. 

While you shouldn’t change who you are, you shouldn’t be silenced either. I know it can be difficult to speak up – I’ve had my own anxieties with that, especially coming from a different country and English not being my first language – but I’ve learned to conquer my natural tendency toward introversion with these five tips.

Five Tips to Conquer Introversion

1. If You Can’t Say It, Write It

In our world of memos, texts, emails, Snapchats, etc., the written word plays a much bigger role than people realize. Drop someone a note if you’re afraid your message will get lost orally. If you’re in a situation where you must verbally address a person or group, it’s OK to refer to notes, so you don’t lose your place. The best speakers in the world use notes, and you’ll find that having them will give you the confidence to deliver your message.

2. Find a Job That Suits You

Working in the pit of the New York Stock Exchange or a hospital emergency room is probably not the best job if you’re an introvert. Play to your personality strengths when it comes to finding a job. In what aspects and areas do you excel? Are you a top-notch researcher or good with numbers? While few jobs will free you entirely from having to communicate with others, there are ways  not to make verbal communication the centerpiece of your work.

3. Watch for Overstimulation

Most introverts report getting exhausted in certain situations that involve extroversion around them, even if they are not participating. Noisy environments, group meetings, social occasions, and visits to the gym are just a handful of experiences that can sap your strength. You can’t avoid them altogether, but being able to manage them will keep you at your introverted best. Here are a couple of examples for you to try.

• One way to manage overstimulation is to start going to gatherings that involve a small amount of individuals. Start with five or ten people first, and once you get comfortable, move on to bigger groups.

• The same thing is true for public speaking. If you feel overwhelmed when addressing big groups, start talking to small group of people first, and slowly work your way up.

4. Assume You’ll Evolve

Let’s say you’re in a business that involves a lot of networking, like real estate or insurance, and you’re naturally introverted. Set small goals for yourself to step out of your comfort zone. Research suggests that introverts can become more comfortable in social situations if they create small milestones to reach. You don’t have to be the best networker in the room, but you can eventually become good at it, and the following three ways will help.

1. In a group environment, find someone you’re comfortable with, and slowly reach out to the ones that you’re less comfortable with. Take small steps! If you move too fast, you might feel overwhelmed.

2. Before any major event, come prepared to participate. Let’s say it’s an environment where politics will be discussed. The week prior to the event, read as much as you can on current events, and be ready to take part in the conversation. Do the same for any type of gathering.

3. Lastly, be ready to face your fear. One of my worst fears is having to introduce myself to new people. But since I’ve been a life coach, and with my blogs taking off, I force myself to constantly talk to people; something I used to try to avoid at all costs that now comes naturally to me. It has not been easy, but has been worth it.

5. Don’t Get Hung Up

Do you know what an introvert really is? It’s just a label. There are probably people in this world that would label you an extrovert, hard as it is to believe. Don’t get too hung up on this or any other label. Understand how you work and socialize best, and then play to those strengths.