Life as a Type A

I guess as you get older you become more self-aware, more reflective, more…boring.  LOL.  At 30, I’m learning a lot about myself just by walking with Jesus and immersing myself in the community He’s surrounded me with. Iron sharpens iron and all that…But apparently there are people in the secular arena who made it their aim to study and learn human behavior, group what they learned into categories and created labels for certain personality types.  According to these learned people I would be labeled as a “type A” personality.  Now this is not news to me.  But since, I’m becoming more introspective, I decided to do some heavy duty internet research to see, what exactly makes one a “type A” personality?  Of course, one has to weigh the info found via Google, but here is what I found that I thought was worth sharing…

Type A’s are often impatient– I don’t believe all type A’s are intentionally so, it’s just that we place an extreme value on time.  When we feel that our time is being wasted we are apt to become upset, angry, frustrated, or all of the above.  I can identity with this characteristic whole-heartedly.  Even when I don’t have an engagement or meeting to attend, I find myself constantly monitoring the time because I want to maximize my time and be productive with my day to the fullest.  The number one way for me to become frustrated during the work day is when I feel I am not being productive.  But since impatience is the very opposite of the fruit of the spirit “patience”, God has not let me get away with acting out on my frustrations as I would normally want to.  Instead, He has placed people in my life who are always late, and simply do not pay attention to the amount of time that is passing in life.  Another way God is helping to balance me in this area is by implementing waiting periods in my life journey with Him.  There are several areas of my life that I have practiced waiting and they usually have to do with things that are near and dear to my heart.  Goals, dreams, desires, etc…God has used the desires of my heart to help me become more patient.

Type A’s are competitive– Every year my job has a competition of either corn hole or ladder ball and every year I am either in the final round or a winner.  Even though the only time I have ever played these games is at work during these competitions.  I don’t practice during the year, gearing up for the tournament (I promise!).  And I’m not even athletic or skilled at these games!  I believe it’s simply because I’m pretty competitive.  And b/c I’m competitive I put my heart into any task put before me.  Even if it’s ladder ball :-).  This competitive spirit can become a nuisance to others if it’s not reigned in.  Type A’s can be too aggressive and even be poor sports if they do not step back and put things into perspective.

Type A’s are multi-taskers– now this is one I would not say I can relate to as much.  I can do a few things well but definitely not several.  I know my limits and adhere to them.  However, many type A’s are excellent at multi-tasking at a variety of unrelated tasks.  

Overall type A’s are generally described as being leaders.  They are independent, decisive and no-nonsense.  Their weaknesses would include rushing, being insensitive, being high strung and being workaholics. 

Similar to being an extravert/introvert, it’s probably rare for someone to completely identify with all aspects of one personality type.  Still, I’m sure if you did the research you would find that you lean more towards one than the other.  Type B’s are pretty much opposite of Type A’s in every area and I’m still a little unclear on “Type C’s”, but I do know that God made us all different because we all show different aspect of who He is.  I think He thinks its fun to mix us all together and teach us how to work as a team. 

It takes maturity to value someone else’s quirky, different way of functioning whether it’s in a work setting or in the home.  I think learning how we operate and how our loved ones/coworkers operate would assist us in making each other’s lives just a little easier.  As a type A, I sure do appreciate it when others value and respect my time the same way that I do!  I am also learning to appreciate when my more laid back peeps help me loosen up more, stop looking at the clock and enjoy the flow of life.

What personality type do you identify with?  What have you learned  from others who have different personality types?