Quiet Power: Part Three

As a boy he’d been admired for his science prowess, but now nobody seemed to care.

But the awkwardness of his middle-school years didn’t deter him from pursuing his dream; it probably nurtured it.

Since Maria was too young for the bars where these musicians typically gather, they searched for other venues.

Her introverted nature might appear to have been a drawback in that situation, but in fact it was the reason she was able to fit in so easily.

Her dedication to the instrument, and the joy she experienced from practicing every day on her own, allowed her to become a better player with a more attuned ear.

You may choose to keep the results of these excursions under lock and key or you may want to share them with the world.

The following year, Jeff enrolled at West Point, a four-year military academy known for its rigorous training.

Jeff looked for holes in their defensive schemes, or bad tendencies on the part of the players, then imagined himself exploiting them, rushing past them for a goal or an easy assist to a teammate.

“In a way, the sport becomes a form of meditation,” says the psychologist Elizabeth Mika. “It occupies your body so that your mind has time for introspection.”

Put your busy, imaginative brain to work by picturing your victory and bolstering your confidence.

Don’t let the crowd sap your energy and strength, as it did for Hans.

There’s evidence that extroverts are more susceptible to the rush of pride, excitement, and all-around positive feelings that come with achieving a goal, winning a competition, or overcoming impossible odds.

Jessica was so competent out at sea in part because her quiet nature allowed her to remain calm and focused on the dangers at hand.

Even on such a risky journey, she managed to stay safe by concentrating on accurate directions, maneuvering through the turbulent ocean waves, and taking care of herself on her own terms.

Thanks to his acute talents as an observer, and his careful efforts to record all that he saw and to explain it later in books and lectures, Darwin turned the voyage of the Beagle into one of the most important expeditions in the history of science.

“One of my neighbors wrote, ‘Fear is a thief.’ And it became my mantra when I was in Ecuador. I decided to live by the words my neighbor shared with me: ‘You cannot let fear become a thief. It will steal so many precious things and rob you of so many incredible moments.’”

Rita had heeded that advice as she ventured abroad, and now she turned to it again.

She walks tall, despite having spent the day bent over an ironing board in a dingy basement tailor shop at the Montgomery Fair department store.

She stands silently, her mere presence enough to galvanize the crowd.

I had always imagined Rosa Parks as a stately woman with a bold temperament, someone who could easily stand up to a busload of scowling passengers.

They were full of phrases like “radical humility” and “quiet fortitude.”

What does it mean to be quiet and have fortitude? these descriptions seemed to ask. How can you be shy and courageous?

Parks herself seemed aware of this paradox, calling her autobiography Quiet Strength—a title that challenges us to question our assumptions.

She had an aura of purpose and determination that I’ll never forget.

And so Kopp did what many driven, industrious introverts would do in her situation. She headed to the library and immersed herself in research.

The Project selected a destination for them: a library in Malawi, a small, impoverished nation in the southeast corner of Africa.

Then she gathered a few friends and family members, transformed her house into a mailroom, turned on some music, and the group deftly packed twenty-three enormous boxes of books.

This slight, peaceful sage, who insisted on nonviolence and restraint, led a revolution that changed the course of history.

Any noble pursuit will test you at times, so you have to be sure to choose something that resonates deeply with you.

For Robin, an insatiable reader, this was a library project.

And in an extraordinary feat of bravery, Rosa Parks stood up for an entire community by refusing to kowtow to oppressive laws.

She’d always felt safe singing in the chorus or playing on a sports field among a team of players, but now she would be reciting a monologue and singing a solo onstage beneath a spotlight! This was a much scarier proposition.

He had already established himself as a theater buff in first grade, and every year since, he has nabbed the funny part in the school play.

Once he was there, Ryan began to imagine what it must have been like for those prisoners, living in such squalid conditions, with people dying all around them.

“If I have to be in the public eye,” Watson added, “I want it to be for something that was worth it.” It makes sense, then, that in 2014 she took on the role of Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women, appearing fearless and poised in a speech at the UN advocating for gender equality.

While Ryan turned his contemplative approach into an advantage by digging deeper into the character he was playing, Victoria made a strength of her ability to practice and concentrate.

Driven by a passion for knowledge, she sits by herself and reads voraciously.

I smile and move and gesticulate to make my points, and I speak with all the energy and passion in my soul.

He taught me about how body language, inflection, and even props can help bring a talk to life.

Visualize the crowd. Imagine what it will feel like to have a dozen or even hundreds of eyes on you. If that feels unnerving, try to practice in front of a safe and supportive group of friends or family.