Balancing Your Personality Type

By Linda Reed

Published on:
October 29, 2001
Category:
Relationships

Before reading this article be sure to work through the personality inventory

Our personality strengths pushed to extreme become weaknesses. Risk-takers can go too far and endanger themselves and others. People sensitive to others can be easily hurt.

Balance is the key to managing our personality types. The power to stay balanced grows out of a deepening relationship with Jesus.

So let's look at our personality strengths, identify our weaknesses, and recommit ourselves to living for the one who died - and rose again - for us.

As you learned from the personality inventory, many of us are combinations of several personality types. Here are some of the characteristic strengths and weaknesses of each of the "animals" we might be.

Lions

Motto: "Let's do it now"

Strengths

Assertive
Takes Charge
Determined
Independent
Confident
Persistent
Driven
Likes authority
Competitive and focused
Enjoys challenge

Weaknesses

Pushy
Insensitive to others' feelings
Controlling
Excludes others
Arrogant
Stubborn
Impatient
Demanding
Single-minded
Neglectful of "boring" things

If you are a lion, work at being gentle and patient. Try not to "roar" at people when you're upset. Realize that people are more important than projects. Increase your communication level and include others. Give yourself (and others) permission to relax.

For further reflection: James 1:19-20; Romans 12.

Otters

Motto: "Trust me, it will work out." Nickname: "Party waiting to happen"

Strengths

Likes variety
Adventurous
Good communicator
Creative-generate new ideas
Visionary
Enjoys change
Friendly, mixes easily
Energetic
Fun-loving
Risk-taker

Weaknesses

Lack focus
Take foolish risks
May dominate conversations
Lack of attention to detail
Impractical
Lack of follow-through
Lack of depth in relationships
Wears self and others out
Can go "too far"
Foolish mistakes

If you are an otter, work at thinking ahead and planning. Attend to details. Be loyal and committed to your friends. Slow down and look at the "big picture."

For further reflection: 2 Peter 1:5-9; Proverbs 3.

Golden Retriever

Motto: "Let's keep things the way they are."

Strengths

Tolerant
Easy-going
Sensitive
Caring
Dislikes change
Loyal
Peace-maker
Adaptable
Patient
Good listener

Weaknesses

Too permissive
Indecisive
Easily hurt
Easily taken advantage of
Can get in a "rut"
Poor choices in friends
Avoids confrontation
"Wishy-washy"
May not accomplish things
Own needs may not get met

If you are a golden retriever, practice saying "no." Confront others when they wrong you. Make it a point to make decisions. Be sure that you don't condone sin in the name of "tolerance."

For further reflection: Acts 18:9,10; Galatians 6:1-5.

Beavers

Motto: "If its worth doing, its worth doing right."

Strengths

Deliberate
Precise
Orderly
Sensitive
Conscientious
Reserved
Consistent
Enjoys instructions
Analytical
Thinks deeply

Weaknesses

SlowPerfectionist
May make others uncomfortable
Easily hurt
Unreasonable expectations
Lonely
Compulsive
Misses the "big picture"
"Black and white", "all or nothing"
Can become negative and pessimistic

If you are a beaver, learn to avoid extreme thinking (that is, telling yourself, either it must be this way or that way; there is no middle ground). Give yourself and others a break. Learn to leave some things undone and imperfect. Don't take it personally if others don't meet your expectations. Resist the temptation to "micro-manage" or avoid situations when the pressure is on.

The four personality types are adapted from a video, "Understanding Your Personality Strengths" by Gary Smalley and John Trent.

For further reflection: Philippians 4:5-9; Matthew 6:25-34.

Linda Evenson Reed a personal therapist with Kairos Clinic in Wauwatosa, WI.