September 5, 2016 - Medical experts tell us that there are two personality types of people – Type A and Type B. Those who would be considered on the Type A side of the spectrum are those that are more driven, more focused, more goal-oriented, more diligent, more likely to get stressed and emotional, and more likely to have heart attacks and/or mental breakdowns.
The other side of the spectrum includes everyone else, who are called Type B personalities. These people aren’t as driven or goal-oriented, are more laid back, and more careless.
My wife, Clara, is definitely a Type A personality, and I tend toward a Type B. If you happen to be married to a Type A person, then you will probably appreciate the following list of the things that the Type A person does. One does not necessarily have to possess ALL of the following characteristics to be a Type A, but most will have several of them.
The experts tell us the following about the Type A person:
1. They don’t procrastinate. They hate the idea of wasting time so they do things the moment they come to mind. Why wait and do it later when you can just do it now? My wife definitely has this one.
2. They always have a task list – a never-ending one. If there is another day to be lived, then there is another set of tasks to be accomplished. They would be lost without a “to-do list”. My wife has this trait as well.
3. They have several alarms set throughout the day so they always stay on top of things.
4. Waiting in long lines kills them a little bit inside. Type A’s are deeply irked by anything that slows their progress, or needlessly keeps them from getting things done.
5. They bite their nails or grind their teeth. They are more prone to nervous behaviors like nail biting, teeth grinding, and fidgeting.
6. They are highly conscientious. They may get stressed and anxious more often than others, but it’s because they really care. It is important that they stay on top of all things.
7. Type A’s frequently talk over and interrupt people. Not on purpose, of course. But they still find themselves cutting off their friends and acquaintances in order to make their points and advance the conversation.
8. They have a hard time falling asleep at night. They tend to dwell on frustrations and worries, and it can keep them up at night. Their brain goes into overdrive when their head hits the pillow.
9. People can’t keep up with them. They like being on the go, and they love getting things done. The result is more often than not, they’re in a rush.
10. Relaxing can be hard work for them. Taking time off to relax can feel un-natural - after all, time is money.
11. They have a low tolerance for incompetence. Type A’s are driven goal centered above all else, which means they can be less acceptingthan others when it comes to anything that gets in their way, or any person who doesn’t have the same sense of urgency.
12. At work, everything is urgent. For Type A’s everything has to be done yesterday. There’s a sense of time urgency that goes along with their impatience and need for deadlines.
13. They are sensitive to stress. Type A’s experience stress more intensely than others seem to, and either internalize or externalize it in response. The result is high blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease.
14. They make things happen. People with this personality type tend to be very good at accomplishing their goals. Many managers want Type A employees because they know that they can be trusted to get things done.
15. Being late to any function is a sin. They are punctual and expect others to be the same. Other peoples’ time is worth respecting.
My wife possesses a number of these traits. How does your spouse rate? I have always heard that “opposites attract” which may be the reason that I was so attracted to her the very first time I saw that beautiful, sixteen year old girl playing the piano at church. This attraction has lasted many years even though I am a Type B personality. The answer is simply respecting and accepting each other’s differences and laugh together when you can.
