Life is an interesting journey, is it not? Being able to read the roadsigns on the trip sure does help make the trip smoother.
One of the things that I’ve always been thankful that CIBC did for (yes there is some thankfullness despite being fired within 30 days of my husband and father dying) – was that they gave me the opportunity to attend 2 week long seminars at the CIBC Leadership Centre primarily on Leadership and Team Building, but both with a component of self reflection that put into perspective for me WHY I have always felt like a square peg in a round hole. Plain and simply, I was trying to fit into someone else’s mould of myself and just not quite making it. I was in firmly enough to be stuck….but not at all comfortable and for the most part very exposed.
Fast forward to six years of learning, reflection and analysis of myself from every possible angle, and I’ve learned it isn’t too bad being me, although it isn’t always easy. Unlike Kermit who sings “It isn’t easy being Green”, for me its “It isn’t easy being Blue/Green”.
Huh?
True Colours is just one of the Personality analysis tools that I’ve participated in. In that I’ve learned that I am a BLUE/GREEN-Gold-Orange, i.e. mostly a “nurturer” with an equal dose of curiosity followed by sadly lacking organizational skills, and very little of the clown in my life.
Another fun test is the Psychogeometrics test which assigns a shape to your personality type. According the them I’m a CIRCLE/BOX (a box with rounded corners???)
You are both well liked and respected by your colleagues. This is to be expected because of your friendly nature (Circle) and your efficient work habits (Box). You have the unusual ability to remain organized in the middle of chaos. Your files are cross-referenced and color-coded. Others often come to you for information. And, you have a positive attitude as well. You take time to stop and chat with colleagues, but you also make sure that your projects are completed accurately and on time. Both you and your desk are extremely neat and tidy. Your wardrobe is more functional than decorative and you prefer muted, solid colors such as grey or tan. To the outer world, you are the “dream employee!”
I wouldn’t agree with the files part (my desk is a disaster and I’m badly in need of an EA), bu the rest is pretty bang on.
However, they don’t see the price you pay to present this “perfect person.” You are a person with conflicting needs. You have a strong work ethic, but you also have strong social needs. Although you must work alone to meet your own standard of perfection, you often miss the camaraderie of working on a team. Work teams value the contribution of your knowledge and your communication skills, but you are too busy to attend last minute meetings. You plan every moment of your day down to the minute, so you hate sudden crises. Although you may join the crisis team and solve the problem with apparent ease, no one knows you will be working all night to make up for the lost time. When stressed, you are likely to withdraw for fear someone will see you are inadequate. Your main flaw is lack of self-confidence.
Who’s got the camera going in my office??
At home, you are very committed to your mate and are protective of your family. You are old-fashioned when it comes to traditional family values. You do not believe in divorce and expect a clean and efficient household in which tasks are equitably shared. You are patriotic and likely to attend church on a regular basis. Your friends are few, but they are very lucky to call you friend because, to you, friends are like family. They know that they can always trust your word and, when the chips are down, you will not desert them. You are generous, but prefer to give practical gifts. In your leisure time you enjoy the musical classics (from rock to Bach); reading preferences lean to historical novels and biographies; hobbies often include woodworking or handicraft projects. You are an excellent cook. You are a meticulous collector; whatever you collect will support you in your old age… along with your substantial savings.
Clean and efficient?? With Chris and the dogs?? LOL!! I was known as an execellent cook at one time … I think that skill is getting rusty and I’m getting sick of chicken curry.
On to the Keirsey Personality Test I’m an ISFJ or what is known as a “Protector Guardian”. I don’ t mind being in the same league as Jimmy Stewart, but I wouldn’t exactly put myself in the same class as Mother Theresa.
This morning Deirdre forwarded me another link for personality evaluation – the 5 Element Theory. Given my Tree of Happiness post – does it seem at all surprising that I am nearly equal Water and Earth?
All these insights are wonderful. However, I have to admit that sometimes the problem is taking the theory and putting it into practice is the issue. For this, I’m going to suggest another sight that you may want to add to your blogroll for daily reading. Robin Sharma is a life coach, and I’ve been fortunate to attend two of his multiday seminars. The first – the Elite Performer Series – was coaching from a business side, and the second was a weekend (at the old CIBC Leadership Centre – now the Kingsbridge Center) on Achieving your Best Self. What I’ve learned from Robin was that I had a major misalignment of my priorities and goals, and while I’ve been successful at making everyone else happy, I wasn’t getting to where I wanted to be myself. If you can ever attend one of his seminars, DO IT!! If not, you may want to read some of his books – starting with The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari. Or at least read his blog postings, you never know what he may say that may just give you an “AHA!” moment like they have me 
So – what shape/colour/element/personality are you?
