Monday, November 17, 2008

Bringing out the type A in me

Last week was a very productive week for me. I was able to get away with my hubby and have a time of refreshing with the Lord. During that time I knew that I needed to become more organized. You see, I am a type "B" person.

Here is the difference between type "A" people and type "B" people:

Type A = A temperament marked by excessive competitiveness and ambition, an obsession with accomplishing tasks quickly, little time for self-reflection, and a strong need to control situations.

Type B = A form of behavior associated with people who appear free of hostility and aggression and who lack a compulsion to meet deadlines, are not highly competitive at work or play, and have a lower risk of heart attack.

It is interesting to note that the Type "A" people are often unable to relax and just smell the roses (something I enjoy doing!).

It's not that I want to become something that I am not. I just need to realize that us type "B" girls need some structure and committment if we hope to accomplish all of the things that need to be accomplished.

The funny thing is that I have added lots of color and graphics to my lists (my husband's are just black and white) LOL! I just know that if I'm supposed to look over a goals list several times daily, it had better be pretty! LOL!!

How about you, ladies? If you are a type "B" personality, tell me how you handle staying on task and getting things accomplished.

21 comments:

Kelly said...

I am SO SO SO Type A. I get depressed if I don't have anything to do. Control issues abound.

I'd love for Type A people to chime in too on how they relax.

I'm glad you had a time of refreshment, Sonya, and I pray that you will now be motivated to get your items crossed off your very pretty list. *smile*

The Patterson 5 said...

I used to be a Type A wanna be because I felt like that's what the world needed me to be. I've eased up on that, and am enjoying who God created me to be much more now!

I've tried lists, and like you I like for them to be pretty. I also keep a master calendar of course using different colors. I don't use the same color for each person (I suffer from disorganization) that would probably help. I am eager to read other's responces for some organizational tips!

Anonymous said...

Sonya,
So good to catch up with you this morning and what is going on in your life. Have been thinking about you and praying for you this past week and then I see you were stessed but able to get away with Tim- yeah! You know how Type A I am. What stuck out to me was "little time for self reflection". I think that is what sometimes hinders my growth spritually the most. I have to build that in to my schedule and that's where I find journaling helps. Hope to talk to you soon. Thanks for your encouragement through the blog!

Bonita said...

I'm type A, but I want to be more type B in the relaxation and carefree way. My husband is a B and sometimes I envy his ability to simply enjoy life.

However, I'm not type A in the sense of being totally organized or staying on task. I'm an easily distracted type A, an artsy Type A, I suppose. So, when it comes to staying on task, I can't help you much there. I have a very strong drive, but I also have a lot of frustration because I don't always do what's necessary to accomplish what needs to be done because I get distracted along the way. Oh well...

On Purpose said...

"little time for self-reflection"

I find this very interesting that this was in there...as I am definitely a Type A personality...but I always find myself analyzing everything. Like to the point of wasting God's time!!! Maybe I need to rethink...hehe...the difference between self-reflection and just thinking too much!

Tammy said...

I think I'm a little of both but I'm sure if you were to ask my family they would say...definitely type A personality.

Blessings,
Tammy

Pinkshoelady said...

Hey Type B Girlfriend!
I am definantly a B!
I push my deadlines up to the last 24 hours. I sometimes am too spontaneous and let play get in the way of work.
The truth is...if I let my flesh control me completly, I probably wouldn't get anything done properly.

God has helped me to focus and concentrate on doing everything as if I was doing it unto Him. When I think about this I tend to stay on task and get things done.

Another help hasbeen an idea from a book I read long ago called, "The Seven Habbits of Highly Effective People."

Though most of the books ideas I threw away like chaff, This one has stuck with me.

Put everything you need to do in 4 categories: Important but not urgent, Important and Urgent, Not important or urgent, and Urgent but not important. The key is too keep as little in the urgent categories as possible. If I keep things in the important or not important catergories then I won't always feel pushed or rushed or behind.

So far a great ideal...still working on the practicality!

Thanks for this post!
Pamela (your Big B girlfriend!)

Melinda said...

To be honest, I'm a "B+"! I definitely fall squarely in the "B" category, but I am a planner and I like to get things done, hence the "+".

It's hard to move ahead on your goals as a Type B, but I try to break it way down and focus on a couple of small tasks a day that build up to the larger overall goal.

Julie Gillies said...

Oh, girl, I am 100% Type-A, although I love taking walks and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature (including smelling roses!) LOL

I think that the #1 way to stay motivated is asking the Holy Spirit to motivate us.

I hope you're able to use your colorful list and enjoy crossing things off as they're accomplished (one of my ALL-TIME favorite things to do...crossing things off a list, that is.)

Blessings

momstheword said...

I am a Type A (ouch!) and my hubby is a Type B. I guess it works out because he is older than me by a couple of years. When I die early due to my stress-induced heart attack....just kidding!

I have no advice due to my being an "A." However, I do motivate myself to do stuff by setting a timer and racing it (I like games!). I guess that fits in with the competiveness, I compete with myself (well, and the timer but the timer doesn't care).

Tea with Tiffany said...

I'm a B. And no, I don't get it all done. I let so many things fall through the cracks. But my reasoning is always "It'll get done" and "In the big picture of life, am I doing what matters most?"

I pray my answer is yes. I stop and smell roses. Sing too long. Sit and talk too long. Laugh too long. Take too many pictures.

I sometimes wish I could move faster in life. I can convet those women who are motivated. But I'm not competitive. So eventually, I go back to not really caring that much about it.

Slow and steady turtle that I am. By design I'm learning.

Great thoughts here. Love posts that make me think. This is one of them.

Tea with Tiffany said...

Forgot to thank you for sharing how my blog post touched you. The hidden mountain post. Glad to know we are friends too!

Edie said...

You haven't lived until you've experienced the joy of crossing something off your list!

I think I'm an A-. I am highly competitive but only for fun. I hate it in work or business. I am Ms Efficiency so I want to accomplish everything quickly but I LOVE self-reflection too. I am learning to control my need to control. :)

Sharon said...

I am a A- hahaha I am always trying to complete projects I don't like un=completed projects it really bothers me. Now my hubby is a different story, he is the worst.... so last month he mentioned to me he wanted to make and build something I said oh yea another project unfinished!! It must of sunk in, because he said at the end of his project he wanted to make sure it was complete. And He did! :)
have a great week

Anonymous said...

Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you"

Meaning: Treat other people the way you wish to be treated.
Christ's words in Luke 6:31

Sonya Lee Thompson said...

This is a very valuable verse and we try to model this in our home. But, I'm not seeing where it is relevant to this post? How does that help you if you are a type B trying to be more organized?
Sonya

Jean said...

Just bloom where you are. God doesn't make mistakes, just unique people.

Love,
Jean

Cheryl Barker said...

I'm pretty much a type A, Sonya, though I do love to smell the roses and can even spend too much time in self-reflection. Guess I'm a mix -- but heavy on the A :)

momstheword said...

Sonya, too many people have said I am Type A, and I think they're right. It is my perfectionist tendencies that held me back from cleaning my house, I think. If I couldn't do it right and get it done right, I wasn't going to do it at all. So I just never started because I couldn't get it all done "right" in the amount of time I had.

B His Girl said...

I really am a B :) Is a B bad? I am blown away how many A's I see responding. I knew some of you were A's by your blog.:) Are most bloggers A's? I have order in my life but I am not Miss Organization.(Now you know) It is not my strength. The Lord has told me He needed me to 'just B'. I'm working on that. I will Blog that story sometime. bhisgirl

Tea with Tiffany said...

Hi Sonya,

A little snow? Hmm, we are having a record heat today. 75 and sunny! Perfect.

Enjoy the flakes.