When Introverts and Extroverts Fall in Love with Each other

We've all heard the saying "opposites attract."

This is perhaps never truer than when an introvert and an extrovert fall in love. For those on the far end of either the introverted or extroverted side of the scale, it can be hard to imagine maintaining a relationship with someone who has different personality preferences.

In spite of the challenges, the world is full of happy and fulfilled couples who have learned to appreciate and make the most of their personality differences. So just what are the tricks to making a romantic relationship between an introvert and an extrovert work?

Understand Your Type

First and foremost, it is important to understand your own preferences, as well as those of your partner. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

There are many assessment instruments out there that answer this among many other personality-related questions. The most commonly used and accepted is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.

In general, broad brush terms:

You're more of an introvert if:

- Solitary pursuits and activities or just being alone to think recharges your energy, while interacting with groups in work or social settings tends to drain you.

- You prefer to gather and process information using reference materials such as books, articles and online resources.

- You problem-solve through solitary reflection on a situation. Left alone to process and think through an issue, you can often come up with several options, but in both professional meetings and personal life situations you find that "talking through" situations can be overwhelming.

- Given the choice of attending a large "event of the year" type party or spending an evening at home reading a book or catching a movie with one or two close friends, you would almost always choose one of the latter options.

You're more of an extrovert if:

- Being around others recharges your energy. At both work and at play, you prefer group activities to solitary tasks or hobbies.

- You gather and process information by talking. When trying to understand something new or gather facts, you'll pick up the phone and call a friend or pop in to discuss things with a co-worker.