I’ve often admired people who are flexible and laid back; who have a more carefree approach to life and live in the moment. I know I can benefit from a dose of that approach, although I’ll admit those traits often trigger my Type A tendencies. I like to seize the day, get a lot done, check things off my list, and feel a sense of accomplishment.

When I took the StrengthsFinder assessment years ago, one of my top talents was “Achiever.” An achiever is described as someone who is driven, has an internal fire, and has a need to achieve something tangible every day (yes, even on weekends). And while this talent has served me very well, it can also be a source of frustration and stress.

Indeed, any strength overused can become a liability.

Over the years, I’ve learned to manage the negative side of achievement and channel that strength in a productive way. Achievement is just one of the “Type A” tendencies I have that can rear its ugly head and send me into a state of overwhelm that can show up as snippiness and impatience.

So how do you know if you have Type A tendencies?

While this is in no way a formal definition, if the statements below sound familiar, you may be Type A.

 

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