Our personality is a key component of our essence as human beings and can be understood as a set of unique and distinctive character traits that determine how we perceive, think, feel, navigate, and interact with the world around us.
There are several personality types, all of which have their respective and unique advantages but also are known to be associated with certain character defects that each personality type faces. If not made aware of, these character defects can hinder one’s growth and development, and create conflict in personal and professional relationships.
Understanding personality types and recognizing our own allows us to have better insight into our individual strengths and weaknesses, ultimately leading to greater personal growth and self-development.
There are several personality types but two of the most commonly recognized are Type A and Type B personalities.
The Type-A personality type is recognized to be highly ambitious, driven, and competitive. Individuals with Type-A personality traits are known to be very task-oriented and thrive in environments that encourage and challenge them in achieving their personal goals. While these traits by themselves are very highly-valued skills, there are negative behaviours associated with these traits that lead to individuals with Type-A personalities often being overly controlling, lacking patience, and prone to feelings of anger and frustration. Type-A personalities are also prone to feelings of stress and anxiety, which if not dealt with in a healthy manner can lead to burnout and other health problems.
In contrast, Type-B personalities take a more laissez-faire approach to life and are more relaxed and laid-back. Individuals with a Type-B personality are understood to focus more on the enjoyment of life and taking things as they come. While a more calm and relaxed approach is a positive perspective, this same perspective can also lead to feelings of apathy and indifference and encourage behaviour that is lazy and disorganized. As a result, Type-B personality types are often known to struggle with direction and purpose.
Regardless of your personality type, there are steps you can take to overcome the negative character traits to develop a more balanced approach in life. Here are a few ways that can help you. work to find what really makes them happy.
1. Develop Personal Self-Awareness
Regardless of your personality type, the first step to overcoming any negative character trait is to become aware of the traits and behaviours you possess, and consider whether these are aligned with your personal life goals and values. Trusted friends, family, and professionally-licensed therapists are all ideal examples to turn to provide an objective perspective.
2. Practice mindfulness and gratitude
In order to become more self-aware, meditation and mindfulness practices are great resources to calm your mind and create room for clarity and self-reflection. Type-A personalities will benefit from a decluttered mind by having more room to organize their thoughts and goals, while Type-B personalities will gain better insight into their thoughts, which can help them have purpose and direction.
3. Prioritize Self-Care
In a modern-day society where things tend to move quite fast, slowing down and taking care of ourselves is an important and necessary part of developing a healthy and more balanced mind. Both personality types can greatly benefit from practices such as cold plunges, deep breathing, yoga, meditation, and even slathering on a face mask. These activities can help regulate and calm your nervous system, and reduce stress and improve your decision-making.
4. Set Realistic Goals
The key word here is ‘realistic’. While Type-A personalities may have more experience with this, individuals with this personality type often set goals that are overly ambitious, while Type-B personalities are encouraged to set goals that are more challenging. Goal-setting is more effective when your goals are both challenging and attainable. Remember to celebrate your wins along the way – both big and small.
While both Type-A and Type-B personality types have their advantages and disadvantages, learning your personality type and the associated character traits gives you the ability to navigate life in a more healthy and balanced approach. Understanding your own weaknesses helps you overcome limitations by shedding light on issues and behaviours that need attention.
If you are interested in learning about your own personality type as well as others, there are several tests like the MeyersBriggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which is a great learning resource that sheds light on your personality and helps you navigate the world around you.
Arnav Khosla | Contributing Writer
