A recent question from one of our readers made us think about the way temperament interacts with living what you love. Mia is a trained artist who wants to make a living as a painter and sculptor but she has no idea how to go about marketing herself. She feels shy and unconnected to the art world, and wonders if she has to come up with a gimmick to “sell” her work, as so many nationally known artists have. How, she asked, does a self-proclaimed introvert succeeed as an artist?

There’s no doubt that we’re all born with different personality types. Some people are naturally outgoing, while others are more self-contained. But regardless of these qualities, you need passion, commitment and personal integrity in order to live what you love. These are qualities that Mia has in abundance and she can draw upon them to find her own place in the art world. Compromises and adjustments may be necessary but a rich and rewarding life is open to both introverts and extroverts. So start with the 5-point D.R.E.A.M. plan and see where you end up!