Introverts operate at a lower energy level. This doesn’t mean we’re slugs or sloths or rocks. It means that we don’t do the go, go, go, move, move, move, be, be, be thing. We know when to chill for our own sake and we know when to pick up the pace (making provisions for needed chill time). Right? Right.

Unless you’re a type A Introvert.

In the past few weeks, I’ve received emails from a couple readers who’ve thrown the type A personality smack into the middle of the introvert conversation. At first this made me feel sort of stupid. I’m a type B, and much like extroversion, I don’t get being type A, because I have no personal experience with it.

Although I cannot stand to be late for appointments, and I make every effort not to miss deadlines, I don’t get too excited about anything – it takes quite a bit to get much of a reaction from me. And I’m certainly not what western society would call “driven”, nor am I competitive. That’s not to say I’m lazy or slothful – I’m not. It only means that I am very good at assessing my resources and not overstepping my own energy boundaries (usually). And I choose my battles.

But I’m beginning to digress…

We’re talking about type A introverts.

The type A / type B personality theory is just that – theory, and some would poke holes in it. But I think most agree that there are two ways of approaching the world. One is in “attack” mode, and another is in “flow” mode. Type A and type B.

It’s been said that type A personalities are impatient and sometimes hostile. They are schedule driven and tend towards over-achieving and stressing themselves to be better and do more. Oddly, while this type of behavior is rewarded in our society, it is also looked at as a liability.

On the other hand, being a type B, with a much more relaxed outlook is sometimes viewed as a liability as well.

In other words, we can’t win.

But again, I’m starting to digress.

The introverted personality who is also a type A has a real struggle on his or her hands. There is the drive to succeed, to do, to be and to move. And yet there is the desire to find peace, solitude and a relaxed outlook, along with meaning and depth. Balance for an introverted type A isn’t easy, and balance is one thing that introverts need.

To quote my new friend Heather, who recently wrote to me, “…the introverted side of me just wants peace and calm and to sit and read for hours – but my type A personality drives me beyond my own boundaries and so I am just always in a state of imbalance.” Heather further comments, “…someone needs to address the strange mix (sometimes a curse and a blessing all at once) to be introverted but type A so you can never just “be” without feeling the weight of the world and guilt on to of you.”

Tony, another reader and new friend says, “I rarely find myself capable of enjoying a moment without worry or a ‘racing mind’ interfering, and am just starting to again become comfortable with things like silence and tranquility. I think this stems from the lifestyle I created… and the very demanding jobs I’ve had up until the last year or so (insane work hours, long stretches of “crisis mode”… 32 hours straight during one particular crisis)”.

These two people are introverts that have been living definite type A lifestyles, and are learning to find balance.

I’m not here to judge the type A personality. But this is an interesting twist on living introverted. In a world where it can be rough enough being an introvert, how does one reconcile being an introverted type A?

Can a type A become more type B, or vice versa? Is this necessary for finding balance in life? I tend to think yes. What do you think?