Friday, July 23, 2010

Is Type A a better way to be?

I have noticed a trend while blog-hopping recently. When reading people's bio's a number of women start by saying "I'm a typical Type A personality and am organizer, multi-tasking, exercising enthusiastic, happiest when juggling 50 things in the air". If its not in their bio, it ends up sometime in their blog posts. The other thing I noticed is that I have yet to see anyone say "I'm your typical Type B personality and I'm a slow sloth when it comes to deadlines, have a horribly unorganized home, and really just kind of let things go. I will exercise, but don't make it a schedule as little in my life is scheduled."

So, today I started to wonder if Type A is better. Is it something that is so great that we should tell everyone that this is what we've achieved? Should it be the goal of all type B's to become more of an A? Or is it simply that A's are just more driven and goal oriented therefore giving themselves a label helps add to their sense of accomplishment? Or is it that the general nature of B's is so laid back that they really never thought to analyze their own personality, much less broadcast it. They simply don't care.

In case you think I am knocking one or the other, I will tell you that I see both personalities in myself and therefore can't label myself one or the other. I like the thought of organization, but rarely execute it regularly. I have oodles and oodles of baskets for organizing, yet they are all just junk collectors and when one fill, I move on to another. If I am put on a committee of some sort, I would generally rather just run it, because I lack patience to watch people do it the hard way. And at those moments, the B's can make me insane! If you are going to do something, just do it! Yet A's just seem so... I don't know... busy. I do like to relax and read a book and not feel the need to work all the time.

I decided to look up on Wikipedia what their opinion is of Type A vs Type B and I have to be honest, they were a little rough on the A's!

Type A individuals can be described as impatient, time-conscious, controlling, concerned about their status, highly competitive, ambitious, business-like, aggressive, having difficulty relaxing; and are sometimes disliked by individuals with Type B personalities for the way that they're always rushing.They are often high-achieving workaholics who multi-task, drive themselves with deadlines, and are unhappy about delays. Because of these characteristics, Type A individuals are often described as "stress junkies."



Type B individuals, in contrast, are described as patient, relaxed, and easy-going, generally lacking an overriding sense of urgency. Because of these characteristics, Type B individuals are often described by Type As as apathetic. There is also a Type AB mixed profile for people who cannot be clearly categorized.


I guess I am Type AB. There you have it, I'm now labeled. Hunh.
I better change my profile.

So, Type A's, Type B's and those AB's out there, I ask you? Is one better than the other? Is it better to be an A who loves deadlines gets things done, keeps life organized, and does it with grace? Or is it better to be laid back, happy go lucky, go with the flow kind of people? Is it a Mary verses Martha argument?

5 comments:

Marissa said...

GREAT POST! I think if I was just Type A, I'd have a heart attack from STRESS! I think if I were just Type B, I'd have people running all over me and never get anything accomplished??! I think I too am Type AB. I know that certain situations stress me out and I get very impatient, however a lot of times I like to just "chill" and I do not like to boss people around. Wow, great post, it definetely got me thinking...

Duane Scott said...

Hmm... how does one figure out if they are Type A or Type B? I have no clue which category I would fall into! Interesting post!

Karen said...

Hey, is there a "C?" Bits of both at times and quirky in the mix. :P

alicia said...

Marissa- yes, I think AB is a good way to be.

Duane- I am sure there is a crazy online quiz you could take to find out... though if you don't know, you are probably not an A then...

Karen- I love that- a C with a little bit of quirky!

Wendy said...

Guess I would have to say I too am an AB :) My philosophy on life.... everything in moderation ~ including organization ~ HA!