Hi Reader,

I have to admit: after completely stepping down from volunteering for the writers' association I founded six years ago, I feel incredibly free and productive! Usually, hot summer days tend to slow me down, but not this time. Even with the long hours I'm putting into my own projects, it's exciting to finally advance them at my desired pace. How's your summer going so far?

Let's dive into this month's topics:

1. Thriving on Your Own
2. Job Search & Career Advice
3. Relationships & Communication
4. Businesses & Entrepreneurs
5. Mind-Body-Spirit Connection
6. Hobbies anyone?

1. Thriving on Your Own

Have you heard of Riipen? It's a platform connecting educators, organizations, and students for real-world projects. This July and August, Introverts Academy has welcomed two new interns through Riipen.
Why is this relevant to "Thriving on Your Own Terms"? These internships offer a vital mentoring component. Beyond "job-ready" skills, students learn to initiate communication, collaborate, be assertive, and openly ask questions. These experiences prepare them to thrive on their own.

But this isn't just for students. When was the last time you initiated a project purely out of curiosity, or dived deep into a fascinating subject? Such self-directed projects build valuable skills, boosts creativity, and empower you to thrive on your own terms.
The trick? Knowing when to disengage from a project that no longer serves you is a skill that can be learned. Interested in exploring this further? Let me know!

2. Job Search & Career Advice

While summer often means vacation for some, Introverts Academy has been busy—no complaints here, though.
If you're in Toronto on July 26th, I'll be speaking at the Toronto Public Library, Agincourt branch, on Introverts' Secret Weapon for Effective Job Search.
My award-winning book, Introverts: Leverage Your Strengths for an Effective Job Search, has 338 pages packed with insights from a decade in this field. So much to share! If you come, please prepare questions in advance, to make the most of it!

You'll find more details about the event here or on the Toronto Public Library's website.

3. Relationships & Communication

Have you ever considered using AI to help with interpersonal communication?
Recently, I received a sudden request that instantly upset me and drained my energy. It wasn't the request itself (though I didn't agree with it), but rather the way it was presented. There was an expectation that I should comply, attempting to guilt-trip me into feeling like a "bad person" if I didn't accept. This was particularly frustrating because we'd had similar discussions before, and I thought I had clearly stated my point and boundaries.

I didn't reply right away. Instead, I gave myself time to detach and used some techniques to relax and think clearly. That helped! With renewed energy, but still unsure how to phrase my answer, I had an idea: to use AI. Seeking a different perspective I turned to Gemini.
First, I explained how I saw the situation (and the background) and asked for feedback—which led to a fascinating discussion. While I intuitively felt something was off, this dialogue offered new psychological perspectives that I couldn't articulate previously. It also brought fresh insights into the situation, the dynamics of my relationship with that person, and suggestions to move forward. And yes, it helped me craft the reply in a way that avoids more triggers—which I sent via email even though the request came through WhatsApp. I wanted to avoid engaging in short, rapid-fire messages on WhatsApp that could quickly get out of hand.

This experience even sparked a new book idea, which made me grateful for receiving that message—there was a new, positive outcome out of it! Then, the discussion with Gemini helped me structure the main topics I'd like to cover, based on my experience. Would you be interested in a book on how to handle difficult conversations, both personally and professionally?

4. Businesses & Entrepreneurs

• Are companies leaving money on the table if their marketing doesn't take introverts into consideration? This question has been on my mind ever since I became more aware of the complementary traits of introverts and extroverts. I dove into this topic in a recent blog article, and I'll be discussing it further on the July 23rd live podcast episode of Response Marketing Association (RMA). This episode was postponed from June.

• I've been using WordPress for my websites for years, and recently decided to "break up" with it. When compared with other platforms that quickly load website content for visitors, WordPress simply lost my interest. While it could still do a good job if you're patient and tech-savvy enough to keep tweaking it, I no longer have that patience. I'll gradually rebuild the Introverts Academy (IA) web pages on MemberVault (the platform I use for IA courses). MemberVault is fast, continually developing interesting features, provides quick support, and truly listens to its users. The first IA webpage on the MemberVault platform is ready: Services for Organizations.
What do you think of it?

5. Mind-Body-Spirit Connection

Are you interested in alternative methods of healing?
Healing often occurs through the mind-body-spirit connection.

Claudiu Murgan recently published an anthology titled Alternative Methods of Healing. This book compiles his interviews with knowledgeable healers, energy workers, and holistic practitioners, all featured on his Spiritually Inspired platform.
I am honored to have my interview included in this book alongside notable names like Dr. Bruce Lipton. In my chapter, I share some of the personal experiences that led me to explore a spiritual path, the insights that followed, and snippets of how I integrate both worlds (spiritual and material) in daily life.

6. Hobbies anyone?

If you're into writing, or simply curious about its benefits for wellbeing, please join us on July 23rd for the online event, "An Evening with Award-Winning Author Gabriela Casineanu."
​Here's what you can expect:
​• Author Q&A and Inspiration (you can submit questions in advance)
​• Quiz with Prizes & Giveaways (winners choose their prize)
• And, Surprises!
​More details here.​

Gabriela Casineanu, MSc, MBA
​Helps introverts & businesses identify their blind spots, and leverage their strengths to drive meaningful impact​
Founder / CEO of Introverts Academy • Award-Winning Author​
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