Can you go 1099 as an introvert?

I'm a relatively introverted guy. Parties and socialization tire me out.

Has being an introvert hurt my 1099 career?

Not at all!

You may think that going 1099 requires lot of in-person networking, aggressive negotiations, and client presentations.

In reality, 90% of the time all the 1099 work I do (both in and out of the business) is done over e-mail with the occasional phone call and coffee meet up or happy hour.

It's actually more conducive to my introverted-ness than being a W2 employeee. As a W2 employee I had to deal with a boss and co-worker in person ... every day! I was always encouraged get more face time with my peers and higher ups, to get involved with committees and other extracurriculars. I'm getting tired just thinking about it.

Going 1099 allows you the flexibility to lean into who you are, rather than trying to fit into a corporate culture that fundamentally clashes with your core personality.

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For a good book about being an introvert, check out Susain Cain's Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. I read it about 10 years ago and it kicked off the whole "being an introvert is awesome" trend. If you ignore the hype around introversion and just use it to get more insight into why you feel the way you do in some environments, it's a fun and informative read.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

Want the full playbook? Check out Going 1099.